How can Social Workers be Politically Active?

Welcome to this bonus blog post inspired by my recent podcast conversation with Denis Ginnivan—a remarkable figure whose passion for grassroots political action is as inspiring as it is practical.

I had the pleasure of meeting Denis through my esteemed social work colleague, Therese Jones-Mutton, several months ago.

Since then, Denis has made a lasting impression, particularly on our final-year social work students at the Wagga campus, where he shared his expertise on engaging with local politics.

His guest presentation was an overwhelming success, reflecting the growing appetite among social work professionals to be politically active.

In our podcast, Denis shared his journey and insights into how grassroots efforts can transform communities, a theme that resonates deeply with the core values of social work.

Denis hails from a rural farming background near Albury-Wodonga. After studying social work in Melbourne, he returned to his rural roots despite limited job opportunities specific to social work.

He began his career in the disability sector in the early 1980s, a time of significant societal change, particularly with the deinstitutionalisation movement that sought to provide greater dignity and autonomy for people with disabilities.

In our conversation, we reflected on the contrasting sociopolitical eras of our upbringings—Denis coming of age during a time of expanding government services and social democracy movements, and myself navigating the more austere, neoliberal era of contraction.

Denis’s political engagement deepened after a pivotal moment in Australian history: The Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples in 2008.

Denis observed that his local representative walked out during the apology, a moment that spurred him to consider how to mend the disconnect between citizens and their elected officials.

What began as casual conversations with friends—some social workers, others not—soon blossomed into the formation of Voices for Indi.

Drawing inspiration from the Victorian Women’s Trust, they developed Kitchen Table Conversations—a model designed to foster dialogue among community members about their region’s strengths, challenges, and political aspirations.

What stands out about this approach is its emphasis on listening rather than imposing political views. Denis and his group created spaces where individuals, regardless of their political alignment, felt respected and heard.

This deeply reflective and inclusive method was undoubtedly informed by Denis’s extensive social work background, particularly his skills in facilitation, networking, and advocacy.

The Kitchen Table Conversations eventually led to a monumental decision: endorsing a local independent candidate, Cathy McGowan, for the Federal seat of Indi.

After significant grassroots efforts, Cathy’s victory was nothing short of groundbreaking, proving that ordinary citizens could reclaim a voice in politics.

What’s more, this wasn’t about negativity or ousting an incumbent—it was about reimagining how politics could be done.

Cathy’s win brought national attention to Indi and paved the way for other communities to explore similar grassroots models.

Today, Voices for Indi has expanded its influence, inspiring over 45 other groups across Australia to adopt this framework through Voices for Australia.

What struck me most about Denis’s story is how deeply rooted it is in the principles of social work.

 While much of his work with Voices for Indi was done outside his professional role, it exemplifies how social workers are uniquely positioned to engage in political activism.

Our skills in building trust, facilitating dialogue, and fostering inclusion are precisely what’s needed in these spaces.

Denis encourages social workers to find ways to engage politically that align with their personal interests and strengths.

When discussing his favourite social work technique, he also emphasises the importance of making activism fun and meaningful—a sentiment I wholeheartedly support.

Our conversation was a reminder of the power of grassroots movements to create meaningful change.

Voices for Indi began as a small, local effort and has grown into a national inspiration, proving that individuals and communities can reshape politics.

For social workers, Denis’s journey highlights the potential to blend our professional skills with a passion for advocacy to impact society in profound ways.

I hope you’ll listen to this podcast and be as inspired as I was by Denis’s story and the incredible work of Voices for Indi.

Let’s continue exploring how we can use our social work skills to champion positive change.

Happy listening!

Dr. B