VLGA Connect

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Gender Equity Victoria CEO Micaela Drieberg and Put Her Name On It Director Kerry Wilson to discuss an audit of place naming across Victoria and Greater Geelong’s new place naming policy.Then we head to the other side of the globe to speak to Jonathan Carr-West who is the CEO of the Local Government Information Unit in the UK to examine England’s local government reorganisation and devolution.  Support the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by the Shadow Minister for Local Government Bev McArthur to talk about what measures can be taken to protect elected representatives from the rising levels of incivility being experienced across all tiers of government.Chris also sits down with Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to discuss recent court decisions impacting both local and interstate Councils.  And later in the program Chris is joined by Kingston City Council Mayor, Cr Georgina Oxley, to reflect on Council’s key priorities as the state election approaches and her Mayoral term nears an end.Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers.Support the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on the VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Cr Katie Clements from the Rural City of Mildura to talk about her council’s recognition as a Gender Equality Champion in this year’s Mary Rogers Awards, and her thoughts on the safety and security of elected members at the local level.Chris then explores the infrastructure needs and priorities of Melbourne’s Eastern Region Group of Councils - where nearly half a million more people are expected to call home within 25 years. The group’s executive officer Liz Johnstone joins the program to talk through their argument for more timely investment from government.Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt LawyersSupport the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

On this week's episode of VLGA Connect, Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers joins Chris Eddy to discuss councillor attendance, meeting participation and the expectations of the role. Chris also chats to Hobson's Bay City Cr Rayane Hawli, who shares why 'you don’t need anyone’s permission to lead' and reflects on how she’s working to improve representation in local government after being named an Emerging Leader at this year’s Mary Rogers Awards.Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.Support the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

In this week's episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks to the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Nick Reece, about the challenges facing the M9 group of councils as they expect to accommodate up to a million more residents by 2051.Chris also chats to Simon Harrex (Victorian Local Governance Association) and John Armitage (QDos) about the launch of the 2026 Victorian Councillor Census, who tell us more about how the census is conducted and what the data is used for.Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt LawyersSupport the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

In this week's special episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews the new Local Government Minister in Victoria, the Hon Tim Richardson MP.Together they discuss his approach to the portfolio and what he sees as the sector's priorities in the months ahead, with the November state election fast approaching. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt LawyersSupport the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to unpack two recent Council conduct decisions. Chris also chats with Surf Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Libby Stapleton, about the push for a rapid transit link between Geelong and Torquay, and an innovative trial to improve the availability of longer term rental homes in the tourist town of Lorne.Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt LawyersSupport the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on a special edition of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by 2026 Mary Rogers Award Winner Councillor Melina Sehr from Stonnington City Council. Cr Sehr received the honour at a special Award ceremony at Queen's Hall, Parliament House last week.This is the second year the VLGA has delivered the Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government, in partnership with the Victorian Government.Named after Mary Rogers – the first woman to be elected to a Victorian Municipal Council (City of Richmond 1920-1925) – the annual Awards, first launched by the VLGA last year, celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of women Councillors as civic leaders in local government.Councillor Sehr was recognised for the enduring impact she has had as a civic leader across her 24 years on Council.  Cr Sehr has been a strong advocate for other Councillors and an inspirational and courageous leader who has championed civic participation, gender equality, and advocated for a safer working landscape for Councillors, particularly women.Her leadership has actively reshaped the landscape for women working in government and public life, driving systematic change that ensures women can  participate as civic leaders safely and without fear.Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt LawyersSupport the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by General Manager of Murrumbidgee Council in NSW, John Scarce, to discuss the council’s decision to trial a four-day working week.Chris also sits down with Merri-bek City Council Mayor Cr Nat Abboud about a new national guide and toolkit to help local councils across Australia create healthier, happier open streets around schools. This is joint initiative between Merri-Bek and Kingston City Council.  Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers. Support the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to discuss the latest developments on new legislation to amend the Local Government Act. They also unpack two new councillor conduct decisions out of Kingston City Council - including  a councillor suspension. Chris is also joined by Greater Dandenong City Council Chief Executive Officer Jacqui Weatherill, and independent facilitator Dr Tania Miletic from Melbourne University, to talk through a unique and timely social cohesion project in Melbourne’s southeast and its outcomes.Support the showTo learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here. If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999