Fast-paced technological advances, environmental pressures, and the pressure of time and funding restrains have our rural communities looking for new ways to do more with less.
The 2020 Rural Councils Victoria Summit, hosted by Strathbogie Shire Council, will see delegates network, brainstorm and be educated on how they can best address the challenges facing rural communities.
The forum is an opportunity for councillors and local government staff from across the state to join with business and industry leaders, economic and community development officers, academics and education providers to collectively discuss the challenges faced by rural municipalities.
In a Rural Councils Victoria Summit first, a Rural Youth Summit aimed at those aged 18-25 years will be held to coincide and integrate with the Summit-proper! The next generation is very important in rural Victoria, and we are inviting youth from each municipality to participate and be heard.
The 2020 Summit speakers will take this opportunity to explore current issues together with innovative solutions and programs that are relevant and accessible to rural councils and their communities in Victoria.
Download the program teaser here.
Speakers include:
The Hon. ADEM SOMYUREK MP, Victorian Minister for Small Business and Local Government
Adem Somyurek is an Australian Labor Party politician and has served as the Minister for Local Government and Minister for Small Business since 2018. Originally hailing from Turkey, he has been a Member of Parliament since 2002. His previous portfolios include Minister for Innovation and Trade. Adem is well known for his commitment to supporting small business to thrive and is passionate about ensuring a fairer Victorian economy.
He holds a Master of Arts in Policy and Politics from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Sociology from Monash University. Adem was first elected to the Victorian province of Eumemmerring and has been a Member for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region since 2006.
CRAIG REUCASSEL War on Waste presenter
Craig Reucassel has become a household name through his work with ABC series The Chaser and more recently as a waste warrior hosting the popular War on Waste. Graduating from the University of Sydney with a double degree in Economics (Social Science) and Law, it was writing and comedy that took his interest.
Craig and a group of friends established The Chaser newspaper, with the popularity of the satire leading to a number of ABC TV Chaser programs including The Election Chaser, CNNNN, The Chaser’s War on Everything, Yes We Canberra and The Hamster Wheel. More recently he’s appeared on the ABC in The Chaser’s Media Circus, The Chaser’s Election Desk and The Checkout. In 2017 Craig hosted the War on Waste on ABC TV.
RO ALLEN Victorian Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality
Violet Town local Ro Allen was appointed Victoria’s first Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality in 2015, after being a long-standing advocate for LGBTI Victorians. Ro has held leadership positions in the community and government sectors for decades and is revered for her role in supporting and empowering marginal groups. She has a deep understanding of the issues faced by LGBTI people in rural and regional areas. She was the founding CEO of UnitingCare Cutting Edge and established the first rural support group for young LGBTI people. Ro has been a member of three Victorian Government LGBTI ministerial advisory boards. In addition, she chaired the ministerial advisory committee on LGBTI Health and Wellbeing from 2007 to 2009. Ro is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and a former Chair of the Adult, Community and Further Education Board, the Victorian Skills Commission, the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVIC), and the Hume Regional Development Australia Committee.
CHARLOTTE TURNER Climate Change Specialist
Charlotte Turner is an Associate in Minter Ellison’s Climate Risk Governance Team, focusing on change risks (and opportunities) through a financial, corporate governance and liability lens. Charlotte is also experienced in a range of litigation matters including class actions and has recent Royal Commission experience. Charlotte is currently studying for a Masters in environmental science at Melbourne University.