Andres Lomp is the Community Engagement Manager at the Victorian Parliament. He commenced in that role in August 2014, having previously worked at the Australian Parliament as International and Community Relations Director.

Andres has more than 30 years’ experience working in parliament. He served for a decade as Australian Regional Secretary for the
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and was instrumental in the establishment of the Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships program.

Andres has travelled extensively, undertaking a range of capacity building assignments for parliaments in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. He was a member of the Australian national
volleyball team during the 1980s.

John Fothergill is Manager of Buildings and Grounds Services in the Department of Parliamentary Services. In that role he manages a team of dedicated trades and horticultural staff responsible for maintenance of the buildings and grounds of the Parliamentary Precinct.

Keir Delaney is the Assistant Clerk Procedure in the Legislative Council.

Keir has worked in various roles in parliament, mostly within parliamentary committees.

Before that, he has worked for federal government agencies, consulted for the World Bank, and ran his own business. His current role focuses on procedural advice to members and staff.

Sam McColl works as a community engagement co-ordinator in the office of Dr Sarah Mansfield, Member for Western Victoria. He also runs his own small business helping people to tell their stories through film, design and events as well as being an active local volunteer.

Kieran Rooney is a state political reporter for The Age. Joining Spring St with the Herald Sun in 2019, he has won Quill awards for his coverage of COVID lockdowns and the West Gate Tunnel toxic soil saga. Kieran has previously worked at the Herald Sun, Townsville Bulletin and Courier-Mail. In 2002, he was named Best and Fairest for his Year 6 E-Grade cricket team.

Martin Cameron is the Member for Morwell in the Legislative Assembly, first elected in 2022. He is Deputy Chair of the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee. He is also Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Energy, Renewables and the SEC and Shadow Parliamentary
Secretary for Small Business. Prior to entering Parliament, Martin was a plumber and gasfitter.

The Latrobe Valley is going through some incredible change, with job security and industry transition causing uncertainty. Martin was concerned about the disconnect between people’s experience and government policy, and how to ensure no one gets left behind during the change process. This is what prompted him to run for Parliament. The main passions and priorities Martin has as a member of Parliament is to be a strong voice for the people of the Latrobe Valley. Martin is focused on working for them, backing industries that providejob security in the region and ensuring a bright future. Martin will also work to ensure the community has the government services it deserves – good health care and education, a safe community and modern infrastructure like roads and public transport.

Juliana Addison is the Member for Wendouree, first elected in 2018. She is Chair of the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee. Before entering Parliament, Juliana was a History Teacher at Ballarat Clarendon College and Board Director of Ballarat Health Services. Before teaching, she was an Organiser for the Australian Workers’ Union and a National Industrial Officer for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.

Juliana believes that good governments transform communities. What prompted her to run for Parliament was to be a strong advocate for better services and infrastructure in her community of Ballarat. The priorities Juliana has for her community are great schools, quality healthcare and a strong local economy that supports secure, well-paid jobs. She wants families to be safe at home and for the community to have excellent sporting and cultural facilities that encourage all residents to strive for excellence in whatever field they pursue.

Roma Britnell is the Member for South-West Coast in the Legislative Assembly. She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2015 and is the Shadow Minister for Ports and Freight, Shadow Minister for Boating and Fishing, and Shadow Minister for Child Protection. Before entering Parliament, Roma was a registered nurse for more than 30 years. For 15 of those, she worked in community health as the manager of Kirrae Health Service in the Framlingham Aboriginal Community. She also ran a successful dairy farm business and was heavily involved in different agriculture sector boards.

Roma has long been passionate about issues in her region and thought it was time to step up and start advocating for those issues at a higher level. This is what prompted her to run for Parliament. The priorities Roma has for her community are ensuring that it gets its fair share of funding allocations. She believes that her community has enormous potential for growth but needs investment in infrastructure and services.

Maree Edwards has been the Member for Bendigo West since 2010. She has been Speaker of the Legislative Assembly since August 2022.Before entering Parliament, Maree worked in local government in Maryborough and Benalla and as an electorate officer in Bendigo West. She also raised four children and cared for her terminally ill husband, while
completing her BA Hons as a mature-aged student.

Maree has a passion for community and delivering better outcomes for regional communities. This is what prompted her to run for Parliament. The priorities Maree has for her community are improving access to education and facilities, expanding regional health services, and ensuring more jobs for regional residents. She also wants to deliver infrastructure improvements for roads, rail, housing and public facilities, to meet population growth.

Cr Karen Stephens was elected to the Glenelg Shire Council in March 2002 and served as Mayor in 2004/2005 & 2012/2013.

Over the years Cr Stephens has been involved in several regionally significant projects – chairing the review by Australian National University of Land Use Change in the Green Triangle Region and Barwon South West Women’s Forum for Climate Change and become an inaugural member in 2005 of the Green Triangle Freight Action Plan Implementation Committee and was Chair from 2016-2022 which during this period successfully advocated and achieved over $250mil for road funding in the region. Cr Stephens has been a member of the Glenelg Shire Audit and Risk Committee since 2005.

Cr Stephens is heavily involved in the Casterton community as a volunteer through several different organisations and is a founding member of the Casterton Kelpie Association

Cathryn is a born and bred local to Portland and has a real passion for supporting rural and regional communities to develop and implement collaborative grassroots inititative. After landing her dream role four years ago with Youth Live4Life, a youth mental health and suicide prevention initiative, Cathryn uses her extensive on-the-ground experience in youth participation and partnership development to help guide communities through the implementation of Live4Life. Currently Cathryn provides support and leadership to the Community Engagement Team across Victoria and Tasmania.

Keen to challenge the status quo when it comes to mental health, Cathryn believes that putting youth mental health back into the hands of young people with the support of the wider community will make the difference.

A Junior coach at the Tyrendarra Football Netball Club and volunteer with the local Bluelight program, her big focus is on youth development and opportunities. Outside of this you will find Cathryn spending time with her family and friends, probably at the beach.

Cathryn is a LGSC alumni from the 2023 Community Leadership Program.

Troy Lovett is a Gunditjmara and Yorta-Yorta Man who grew up in Heywood and has lived there for a majority of his life. Currently living in Heywood with his partner Jenna and son Tyrell, he is passionate about local culture, sport and community.

Currently working as a project officer at Gunditj Mirring, on the board of directors at Winda Mara, and Executive committee member of the South West District FNL, working with local Aboriginal community members to encourage participation in sport, culture and health & wellbeing. Troy is also a LGSC Alumni (2020).

Director/ Owner/ Brewer, Noodledoof Brewing Company

From being a gypsy all his life, Sam has now settled and lives with his wife and two boys just 3km outside Koroit on a small 10-acre hobby farm. Establishing Noodledoof in November 2019 with his friend Brian, and Alex- his wife’s cousin’s husband. The trio have worked tirelessly to build Noodledoof as a community venue and producer of award-winning alcoholic beverages.

Juan has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Petroleum and a Master of Engineering (Sustainable Energy). Currently working as Sustainable Community Lead with Southern Grampians Shire with over 6 years experience in Local Government , he has supported the delivery of the carbon neutrality goals for the Warrnambool municipality. Juan leads the delivery of Council’s waste management operations, policy development, renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. Juan is passionate about renewable energy and innovation to take action on climate change.

Elisha Nettleton is the R&D / Quality Manager for Sustainable Plastic Solutions (SPS). She comes to SPS with a biochemistry degree as well as being a qualified teacher. Having spent 12 years in the Education sector she made the decision to go back to her science roots and head up the laboratory side of SPS. Elisha focuses on trials for new products and formulations, maintaining the quality standards for incoming and outgoing goods, and developing the laboratory arm of SPS into a business of its own focusing on internal and external testing, creating Material Data Sheets for the recycled resin being shipped from SPS and qualifying supply streams from across our national networks.

Jamie is a beef and sheep farmer on his family farm at Tahara, near Hamilton, a job he has had since 2015. He is an alumni of Leadership Great South Coast, participating in the program in 2021. This program gave Jamie exposure to community, volunteerism and personal capacity building.

Away from the farm, Jamie is Deputy Chair of Food and Fibre Great South Coast and is a Council Member of the National Farmers Federation Young Farmers Council, a role he has held since it was formed in 2022. Through both of these roles, Jamie is able to couple his love of agriculture with passionate advocacy, policy development, stakeholder engagement and helping to shape the bright future of agriculture more broadly.

Jamie is involved with the World Farmers Organisation and was part of their delegation to COP28 in Dubai. He also represents the WFO on the UN Decade of Family Farming Steering Committee which reports directly to the FAO.

Jamie’s interests away from farming include sport (AFL and tennis), managing (along with his partner) their accommodation business in Halls Gap, winery tours, reading and planting trees.

Marty is the manager of the Biodiversity and Indigenous Partnerships team at the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority. After studying ecology and working in environmental education she ran away to join the science circus but then got drawn back into academia. A research Masters in saltmarsh ecology and the impact of sea level rise, followed by a stint in antarctica where the lack of sea ice and some disturbingly skinny whales, led her to get involved in climate action and policy writing. For over 20 years she has alternated working in climate policy with working in conservation until finding her dream job. Back home in Southwest Victoria, Marty and her team support threatened species conservation and climate adaptation across the region. Marty strongly believes that the climate and biodiversity crises must be addressed together and that rebuilding the human nature relationship is the key to building a better world for everyone and everything.

Johnny is part of a family owned and operated sheep and beef operation run in the Southern Grampians. Maddie and Johnny, with a team of 3 are involved in the business. He is fourth generation and custodians of this land since 1910.

They are a specialist prime lamb and Angus beef operation over 1,800ha.

Their commitment is to operate a professional, and profitable business across the property aggregations involving prime lamb production and cattle whilst ensuring to improve PEOPLE, PLANET and PROFIT when considering decision making and PREPAREDNESS always. With the keys of continual improvement and adaptation of the business model and education of all involved in the business to achieve a top 10% business continually.

They see a huge opportunity in improving their emissions intensity, this is underpinned by improving the efficiencies within their production system. With targeting the implantation of a lucerne finishing system to support lamb turn off weights and deep-rooted perennials for resilience in a more variable climate. They also see building some robust data around our emissions that they produce and the biodiversity on farm. They see this as a big part of building on continuous improvement for our farm business as well data driven transparency for what they do on farm.

Angela Hewett is the South Coast of Victoria Employment Facilitator with Workforce Australia Local Jobs a program delivered through the Department of Employment Workplace Relations. Within the role she leverages her extensive knowledge of the regions labour market to collaborate on tailoring opportunities for reskilling, upskilling, and employment. Her proactive approach and understanding of emerging workforce trends enable her to facilitate meaningful connections that accelerate career progression, entry and advancement.

Residing in Moyne Shire, Angela’s work spans across five local government areas, demonstrating her commitment to supporting the diverse workforce needs and barriers to employment present to the region. Recognizing the importance of community engagement, Angela volunteers her time on the St John of God Consumer Committee, bringing a valuable disability perspective, and serves on the Leadership Great South Coast board.

Vicki’s professional life has been predominantly spent in client and financial service roles within the banking and aged care sectors.

Vicki established and became a director of Peter’s Project in Warrnambool in September 2008 after the death of her husband Peter, aged 49 years, from Oesophageal Cancer. The Victorian south west regional community embraced the Peter’s Project ethos and its goal to bring vital radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients in the local region.

Vicki and the Board of the Peter’s Project Foundation continue to financially support regional cancer services into the future.

Vicki was nominated and chosen as the Victorian Australian of the Year Local Hero in October 2016 and announced the 2017 Australian of the Year – Local Hero in January 2017.

In January 2018, Vicki was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours for significant service to Community health through the provision of access to radiotherapy treatments for people with cancer in South West Victoria.

In October 2020, Vicki was elected as one of 7 new councillors to Warrnambool City Council, and was duly elected as Mayor for 2 years and is currently Deputy Mayor.

Tyson is the Executive Officer of Loved & Shared. He returned to Warrnambool as a Teacher at South West TAFE, within the Hospitality and Business department, teaching VET in schools, and certificate programs, harnessing his skills and previous education, having completed a Bachelor in Business in Canberra and Guelph, Canada.

Prior to that he spent a decade studying and travelling around Australia working within the Hotel Industry, including management roles in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland.

Tyson spent 6 years working for Coca Cola Amatil as a Business Development Executive, managing supermarket retail and relationships within the district.

Tyson also has spent time in local government at the Warrnambool City Council, within the Economic Development team and customer service departments since 2020.

His passion for service standards, and time in lock down, lead to the inception of The Lawn Bar in 2020, which he currently owns and operates as a seasonal pop-up venue at the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club, Lake Pertobe with his partner Katharine.

Co-founder of One Day Studios and The F Project, Community Development Coordinator with Warrnambool City Council and LGSC Alumni, Gareth is a passionate advocate for community arts and has 30 years of experience in the field. Highlights of his volunteering work include serving with The F Project, the South West Film Festival, Port Fairy Winter Weekends, the South West Community Foundation, and representing the local arts community in Malaysia and China with the Kanawinka Global Geopark.

B.Sci (Hons), PhD, GAICD

Bernadette’s professional career and community roles span a diverse and unusual range of fields. Bernadette acknowledges that instead of specific career goals, she has always been guided by a passion for learning and a focus on community impact. 

Bernadette has a PhD in genetics of desert fish. A qualification that has led to senior management and executive roles across health, family violence, emergency and disaster response, volunteerism, aquaculture and currently Manager Land Health with the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.

Bernadette has 25 years experience in corporate and community governance and is currently the Chair South West Healthcare, Deputy Chair Victorian Fisheries Authority, Board Director Victoria State Emergency Service. 

Bernadette (GAICD) loves volunteering and is involved in a range of volunteer roles from 20 year commitments to annually supporting the clubs and activities her children are involved in. She has been an SES volunteer for 22 years and is the Deputy Controller of Warrnambool SES, Committee Member Loved and Shared Inc, Chair SWH Human Research Ethics Committee and volunteers with Surf Life Saving and Warrnambool Motorcycle Club. Bernadette was also a founding Committee Member of both Leadership Great South Coast and South West Community Foundation.

A historian by training, Emma is passionate about how history might help us think about building a different future. At The Australia Institute, Emma works in the International & Security Affairs program, where she researches the history and future of Australia’s role in the world. She is also an affiliate of RMIT University, where she was a Lecturer from 2018 – 2023.

Emma became a Leadership Great South Coast alumni in 2023, and was part of the Community Climate Network Scoping Project.

Emma moved to the Great South Coast with her young family in 2022. Her husband Nick, a winemaker, is currently planting 4,000 vines at their small property in Scotts Creek.

Cr Kate Makin was elected to Corangamite Shire Council in November 2020 and elected Mayor in 2023 

Kate ran for council, as a new personal challenge, and an opportunity for her to give back to the community. At the time of running for council, she saw the major challenges being COVID-19, getting tourism back into the region, and businesses back onto their feet. She hopes that council can make the Corangamite Shire a desirable place to live and visit. During her term, Kate hopes that council can upgrade major arterial roads to safe and acceptable conditions.

Kate lives with her husband Matt and sons Jasper, Oliver and Leo near Scotts Creek where they run a small agricultural business. Kate is passionate about giving back to her local community and has been an active volunteer at various sporting clubs across the Shire. As a mum of young children she hopes to bring that point of view to the Council table.

Aaron is a planning manager in local government with extensive experience working in south-west Victoria over the past 13 years. He has strong interests in leadership, strategy and organisational and people development, with experience working in areas including policy analysis and development, strategic planning, renewable energy, development investment and sustainability.

Aaron is passionate and committed to the opportunities and future in regional Australia, including promotion of agricultural needs to meet long-term food security and sustainability requirements.

Aaron holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, both from the University of South Australia, and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a proud father and in his spare time, he enjoys helping out and changing the nature of work on his family’s dairy and beef farm.

Tim is an entrepreneurial luminary, with a deep affinity for his hometown of Timboon, renowned for his roles in founding the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, and Timboon Fine Ice Cream.

Tim and his wife Caroline established the brand Timboon Fine Ice Cream in October 1999, using their own dairy products to make their delicious premium ice cream. They started to attend festivals and events where they would sell their products. Tim established the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery in 2007 where visitors were invited to sample the art of small batch whisky, gin and liqueur production, indulging in the tastings of award-winning libations.

Tim built their new Ice Cream facilities in 2016, continuing to source quality local ingredients.

It is through Tim’s entrepreneurial spirit that has not only elevated Timboon’s profile, but also made it a destination, not to be missed on the Great Ocean Road. His visionary leadership and commitment to excellence continue to drive the success of these iconic establishments, ensuring that the flavours of Timboon are celebrated and savoured by all who visit.

Helga is the host of the Take on Board podcast, and a connector who revels in assisting individuals, organisations and communities to engage effectively and gain clarity on their role in making the world a better place.

Helga specialises in strategy and planning, governance and stakeholder engagement. Building on her extensive leadership roles in government, not-for-profit and membership organisations, Helga is a dynamic facilitator, a supportive and challenging coach and an engaging speaker.

She is the Chair of the Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency and a board member of the Workplace Injury Commission. She is also on the Boards Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Department of Health, and the nominations committee for Greenpeace Australia Pacific. She is the former Co-Chair at the Centre for Sustainability Leadership and former Board member of the Royal Women’s Hospital, YWCA Victoria, Social Housing Victoria and the Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Board. Initially trained and practising as a lawyer, her previous roles include Chief Executive Officer of Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project, Assistant Secretary of the Australian Services Union and Facilitator at Sustainability Victoria.

She has also founded two group coaching programs for women – Board KickStarter and Board Accelerator to encourage women into, and on, Boards.