A feast of the delicacies of Strategy and Ethical Leadership encompassing facts, wisdom, and wit.

Three keynote speakers addressed, highlighted, and delivered on the need for and impact of validated planned strategy and ethical leadership to positively contribute to the overall health and welfare of the communities we work and live within, the region, the state, and the country.

Dr Jonathon Spear, Deputy CEO and COO, Infrastructure Victoria was the highlight of my day via his delivery of the background, achievements of the organisation, and the rationale of the powerful forward-looking recently released draft report’s dynamic vision and focus over the next 30 years.

Highlights

• 90% of the recommendations from Infrastructure Victoria’s first report released in 2016 have been delivered on or are on their way to completion.
• There are enormous potential economic and social benefits from the recently released draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy.
• Infrastructure Victoria is talking about benefits to Regional Victoria.
• Communities within the region must align with the regional strategic plans to fully drive the maximum value for the region.

My takeaway quote “take it and run with it” in relation to the information and recommendations included in the report striking the sweet spot with me via the draft report’s recognition of the need for power transmission infrastructure upgrades.  The much discussed and now acknowledged requirement to upgrade transmission lines leading to positive economic and social impacts i.e.

• instilling a feeling of safety within communities through knowledge that the replacement of outdated aged unsafe and decaying infrastructure is on its way,
• the more efficient transmission of renewable power to all,
• the enticement and encouragement of all types of manufacturing to move to/into the regional rural areas and
• the ability to provide the economic efficiencies which will then drive regional economic, social health and welfare benefits in all forms.

Thank you to Lisa Dwyer for her witty delivery, talk and walk through in her capacity as Great South Coast Regional Partnership Chair.

To Dr Greg Wood and Simon Illingworth your invaluable insights and challenges into and within ethical leadership, were powerful signposts to help navigate the often-blurred principles of ethics and the importance of ethical leadership.

To all the guest speakers of our third day feast of knowledge, strategy and ethics – thank you, we enjoyed the menu.

Oonagh Kilpatrick, 2021 Program Participant