Shane Maddocks retires after a career of compassionate leadership

As he officially retires, Shane Maddocks reflects on the people, places and values that shaped his journey

After almost 10 years leading ac.care, Shane officially retires this week, bringing to a close a 36-year career in social work shaped by advocacy, community relationships and a commitment to earlier support for children and families.

Shane handed leadership of ac.care to Steve Green in October 2026 following a planned transition. He leaves the organisation after a milestone year in which ac.care celebrated 40 years of working alongside country communities.

Shane’s path into social work began unexpectedly in Murray Bridge in 1985.

At 21, while working for the Commonwealth Bank, Shane approached the local council to ask what was planned for International Youth Year. When the answer was “nothing”, he accepted an invitation to help change that.

As chair of the local steering committee, Shane helped secure funding for two community development workers and supported a year-long program of activities for young people. The experience introduced him to social workers, youth workers and community leaders and prompted him to consider a different future.

“I chose social work because I wanted to understand what was happening in the wider lives of young people and families, not only what could be seen in one setting.”

After completing his degree, Shane moved to Port Augusta in 1990. Over the following six years, he worked in child protection and youth justice, supported an Aboriginal boys’ group and learned from Aboriginal community workers who encouraged him to listen carefully and recognise the limits of his own knowledge.

Those early lessons continued to shape Shane’s career in social work and, ultimately, his decade as ac.care chief executive officer.

Through years of working alongside children and families affected by violence, poverty, substance use, racism and social exclusion, Shane became a determined advocate for prevention and earlier support.

“I am still bewildered that we can find billions of dollars to keep children away from their birth families, rather than investing earlier to help keep them safe at home.”

When reflecting on leadership, Shane returns to the importance of values. Compassion, he believes, should guide not only how services work alongside people, but also how organisations treat their staff and make difficult decisions.

“The work we do is complex, emotional and life-changing, for the people who use our services and for the people delivering them.

“Maintaining compassion, dignity and respect matters in every circumstance.
Being kind really is not that difficult.”

During Shane’s time as chief executive, ac.care strengthened its organisational capability, expanded services and deepened its focus on prevention and early support. However, he is most proud of the people behind that progress.

“Our staff, volunteers, foster carers, Board and community members are driven by shared values.

“I am often inspired by the humble way our people approach their work. Many do not think they are doing anything special, but their commitment makes a real difference.”

His leadership also included responding to significant challenges. COVID-19 required ac.care to change how it worked almost overnight while continuing to support people experiencing difficult circumstances. The River Murray flood also affected staff and communities, with impacts continuing beyond the immediate emergency.

These experiences reinforced Shane’s belief in the resilience and ingenuity of country people. They also strengthened his commitment to representing regional communities in conversations often centred in Adelaide.

“I have learned not to assume that what works in one country community will work in another.

“Each community has its own strengths and challenges. We need to listen to local people, especially young people, about what they see, what they need and what they hope for.”

As he leaves ac.care, Shane says it is the people and places he will miss most: travelling through country South Australia, spending time with local teams and seeing communities take responsibility and work together.

He retires confident in ac.care’s future, pointing to the strength of its Board, leadership team, employees, volunteers, foster carers and community partners.

“I think we have done a great job of strengthening ac.care over the past decade, and I am excited for the organisation, its people and the communities it serves.”

A legacy built on compassion and people

ac.care Board Chair Rick Fisher said Shane leaves an organisation that is stable, sustainable and deeply connected to its purpose.

“Shane has consistently lived by personal values rooted in compassion and kindness, honouring cultural and individual diversity and supporting country communities to recognise their strengths, connect their resources and support one another,” Rick said.

“We will remember Shane as the leader who brought it all together. He leaves ac.care with a clear vision, plans for its short and long-term future, and the organisational strength and shared determination to keep moving forward.

“Above all, we thank Shane for being a caring leader who has worked tirelessly beside us, with us and for us. We hope the next stage of his life brings new challenges, excitement and joy.”

Shane also acknowledges the many mentors, colleagues and community members who challenged him, trusted him and helped him grow, along with his wife Lynn and their children, whose support made his career possible.

“I am incredibly thankful to the people who were patient with me, who laughed and cried with me, and who helped me become a better person.

“The lessons I will carry are simple: listen first, recognise the privilege you hold, trust good people to do their work and always lead with compassion.”

What Work Has Taught Me

On values – “Compassion should not apply only to the people who use our services. It should also guide how we treat our staff and how we make difficult decisions.”

On trust – “Being trusted is such an important part of this work. We always need to work to maintain it because it can be easily lost.”

On leadership – “Sometimes leadership is about creating space, supporting the judgement of others and trusting good people to do their work without micromanaging.”

On country communities – “Country people accept responsibility, work together and get on with what needs to be done. I have seen that in everyday work and in times of crisis, and it continues to inspire me.”

On advocacy – “I have learned to be braver in advocating for country people, because sometimes I am the only person in the room representing their experiences.”

On humility and growth – “So many people challenged me at the right time, encouraged me to think more deeply and reminded me to listen first, consider the impact of my actions and appreciate the privileges I have. I’m still learning and growing as a person.”