Framing the future
The VCOSS Framing the Future forum on 26 August 2010 brought together community leaders and social policy experts to address questions on the state of our future and the future of our state. The event showed there is a big appetite for big ideas – a strong message in the lead up to the Victorian State election in November. Check this page over the coming days for more details on the forum and the issues our speakers raised – we’ll be posting video links here as well as featuring the presentations and panel discussions in our next Insight magazine.
The event explored three broad questions using photographs and visual media to prompt discussion and debate:
How does the future look for communities across Victoria?
What are the big social challenges facing us as we enter a new decade?
How do we frame debate in the lead-up to state and federal elections?
The afternoon featured reflections and a panel discussion on approaches to a just and sustainable Victoria.
Summary of presentations
Alexandra Gartmann
CEO Birchip Cropping Group
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The Birchip Cropping Group is a not-for-profit agricultural research organisation led by farmers in the Wimmera Mallee region of Victoria. The organisation strives to improve the prosperity of rural and farming communities. Alexandra has been with BCG since 2001. Alexandra’s presentation examined the issues and challenges facing rural and regional communities and some of the ways her organisation seeks to improve people’s lives. In tackling the impacts of drought and isolation, BCG runs programs that empower communities and encourage a sense of social connectedness. |
Sue Hackney
Coordinator ‘Way Out’ at Cobaw Community Health Service
Jill Gallagher
CEO, Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation (VACCHO)
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Presentation coming soon |
John Lawrence
CEO, Kilmany Uniting Care, Gippsland
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John Lawrence is CEO of Kilmany Uniting Care, which provides community based services such as foster care, family counselling, family day care, youth work, family support, and financial counselling in Gippsland. His presentation addressed the themes of forgotten families, consumption and indigenous aspirations. Highlighting the 8% difference in morbidity between rural and urban communities and the fact that no government in Australia has a rural policy. |
Michael Perusco
CEO, Sacred Heart Mission
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Presentation coming soon |