An end of year update from Rural Councils Victoria

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New Chair elected to lead Rural Councils Victoria

Cr Mary-Ann Brown has been elected to lead Rural Councils Victoria for the next two years following a meeting of the RCV Committee on Friday 14 December. Cr Brown is Mayor of Southern Grampians Shire Council and has served on the RCV Committee for two years. She will take over from current Chair Cr Rob Gersch from 1 January 2019.

“I am delighted to be elected Chair and I would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution Cr Gersch has made to RCV as Chair over the past two years,” said Cr Brown.

Cr Jenny O’Connor (Indigo Shire Council) has been elected Deputy Chair, while Juliana Phelps (Towong Shire Council Chief Executive Officer) and Jason Russell (Campaspe Shire Council Chief Executive Officer) have been re-elected to the Secretary and Treasurer positions respectively.

Further details available on the RCV website.

New Committee Member appointed

Mr David Morcom, CEO of Wellington Shire Council, has joined the Committee as a representative of the Gippsland Region after the departure of East Gippsland Council CEO Mr Gary Gaffney.
Commencing with Wellington Shire Council in 2012, David brings a wealth of experience in the local government and banking sectors to the RCV Committee. Find our more about our Committee.

Save the date - Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum

The date for the next Mayors Councillors and CEOs Forum has been confirmed for Wednesday 17 April 2019, and will be held at the RACV City Club. Please put this date in your diary and we'll provide further updates on our program in the new year.

Updates from the Committee

State Election Outcomes
Following the Victorian State Election, RCV has sought meetings with the Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Roads and Road Safety to discuss issues and priorities for rural Victoria.

State and Federal Budget Campaigns
The Committee is preparing submissions for both the State and Federal Budgets, and commencing work on our Federal Election advocacy campaign.

Project Updates
After a competitive tendering process, we're pleased to announce the appointment of some extremely well qualified groups to deliver key projects in the RCV program of work. We now have several major projects underway, with updates to come in the new year. Further appointments will be announced in January.

Twig Marketing have been appointed to deliver the Rural Promotion Program
Verso Consulting have been appointed to deliver the Older Persons Services and Accommodation Program
Dench McClean Carlson have been appointed to deliver the Rural Investment Attraction Program.

Collaborative Council - Sustainability Fund Partnership Program

Applications for Round 9 of Collaborative Council program are now open until 1 February 2019. This program supports groups of councils to consider new ways of doing business that benefit both the environment and council finances. Please note that this is the final funding round for this program.

Applications from groups of councils to undertake a business case, feasibility study or proof of concept will be considered for funding for up to $75,000, which must be matched by councils through in-kind or financial contributions. Other parties may form part of project consortia, provided 2 or more councils are involved.

The Program has funded 27 business cases and feasibility studies for innovative projects across Victoria. Project reports and materials are available on the Program website for all councils to access. For more information on current and past activities or to complete an application form visit the program's website.

Call for Expressions of Interest to host the RCV Rural Summit 2020

The Rural Summit is RCV's key biennial event and is designed to equip rural councils with the skills and capacity to respond positively to ever changing environments.
RCV is seeing Expressions of Interest from interested councils. Responses addressing the requirements outlined in the EOI documentation must be received no later than 5pm Friday 1 March 2019 and be submitted to secretariat@ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au.
The host council will be allocated funding of up to $80,000 from the RCV program to deliver the event. In addition the host council will also receive the funds from ticket sales to put towards event costs, and may (with RCV approval) seek local sponsorship or in-kind support for other components/costs associated with the event. A formal announcement will be made at the RCV Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum in April 2019.
For further information please contact Alicia Keogh on 0418 770 051 or secretariat@ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au.

Festive Best Wishes from the RCV Committee

Wishing our members, their families and communities a very happy and safe festive season. We're grateful for your support and commitment to the work done by RCV in 2018. We look forward to continuing to advocate for the vibrant rural Victorian communities we represent in 2019.

Copyright © 2018 Rural Councils Victoria|*, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because your Council is a member of Rural Councils Victoria, an alliance representing the 38 rural Victorian councils, supporting and promoting sustainable, liveable, prosperous rural communities.

Our mailing address is:
RCV Secretariat, 32 Towong Street, Tallangatta, Victoria 3700, Australia

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RCV Secretariat · PO Box 55 · Tallangatta, Victoria 3700 · Australia