VLGA Connect

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 Counci...

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 Lawyer...

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 ...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to discuss the latest developments at Hepburn Shire and the related Supreme Court case. They also review the status of the Government’s new local government bill and look at how it compares to the Opposition’s alternative bill. Chris is also joined by Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, President of South Australia’s Local Government Association and Mayor of the City of Mitcham, to discuss how the five-month delay...

This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Greater Geelong City Council Mayor, Dr Stretch Kontelj to find out more about his push for a special economic zone pilot in central Geelong, similar to what has been rolled out in Ireland and China. Chris also sits down with Dawn Bray from the VLGA, and Sally Clarke, a global expert on burnout and culture, to discuss the VLGA’s Councillor Professional Development Program, including Mayoral Leadership, and its focus this year on the...