East Gippsland residents who contributed to the development of the Community Vision 2040 earlier this year were on Tuesday celebrated for their contribution to the community.
Joined by Councillors and Council staff, the community panel members planted trees and marked the occasion with the unveiling of a plaque at Howitt Park, Bairnsdale.
Mayor Cr Mendy Urie said Howitt Park was a fantastic area to plant the trees and will be a reminder for those who had input into the key strategic documents that will help guide Council and the community over coming years.
“I’d like to congratulate the community panel members for the invaluable support they have provided to Council and look forward to working towards achieving our new vision, which will see our people, place, environment and economy connected, in balance and resilient.”
The Community Vision 2040 reads:
In 2040 our people, place, environment, and economy will be connected, in balance and resilient. Our unique and diverse communities will be accessible, inclusive, well connected and safe. We will value and care for each other and our natural environment. Our economy will support existing and emerging industries by being agile, innovative, and sustainable.
The community panel consisted of 15 people from across the shire who met multiple times weekly over a 10-week period to make recommendations to Council. As the community evolves, the vision will be reviewed and updated to reflect community aspirations, to ensure it maintains relevance.
At Tuesday’s tree planting, panel members Sharon Jervis and Jane Ponting both shared their experiences about the process.
Ms Jervis said it had been previously very difficult to seek employment or be engaged in the community, however the community panel was “life changing”.
“The whole experience was mind blowing and was totally out of my comfort zone, but I learnt a lot. Thank you for taking this rough around the edge’s deaf girl out of the too hard pile to give me a chance to have my say and feel valuable again. It has led me to have confidence and led me to be part of the Twin Rivers Lions Club where I really feel at home,” Ms Jervis said.
