vlga board elections, back as president

I’m delighted to be back, as the returning President of the VLGA Board, re-elected last week.

The VLGA Board shows a strong balance of new energy and ideas, and continuity, with the election of six new members and two returning members. The Board contains strong skills in local governance, community involvement, and policy development, along with media and legal experience.

Between us we represent urban and regional Victoria and bring a wide range of perspectives and experience from our many years’ involvement in local government. The VLGA’s members have elected a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people who demonstrate their passion daily for connecting communities, strengthening democracy and ensuring the voice of the community is heard.

With four of the eight elected being women, and a good mix of age groups and backgrounds, the Board is diverse which will ensure robust debate and thoughtful consideration is given to VLGA activities.

As immediate past President, former Treasurer and a member of the VLGA executive for the past four years, I believe we have strengthened our voice on behalf of community and councils for greater democracy in action, undertaken strong advocacy on social initiatives and delivered a financially sound position.

This is testament to the dedication and skills of the retiring Board, all of whom I thank so much for their terrific contributions. We are well positioned to continue the strong leadership demonstrated by the previous Board and there is a great future ahead for the VLGA and its members. The other Board members are:

Member Council Councillor Board members (in alphabetical order)

• Cr Luba Grigorovitch - Hobsons Bay City Council

• Cr Sebastian Klein - Hepburn Shire Council

• Cr Trent McCarthy - Darebin City Council

• Cr Steve Staikos - Kingston City Council

• Cr Lambros Tapinos - Moreland City Council

Community Board members (in alphabetical order)

• Mimmie Ng - former Cr at the South Gippsland Shire

• Beth Ripper - former Cr at the Wellington Shire

If you want to know more about the newly elected VLGA board you can check out their profiles here.