Community Conversations

Explore the big issues...

As a community we’re concerned about a number of issues that are likely to influence our way of life in the future: our community is quickly growing, the climate is changing, rising oil prices, the availability of learning and education opportunities particularly for our young, continuing prosperity and developing courageous leadership to face these issues.

Come along, be informed, have a say and be entertained!

Come along to a Community Conversation to explore these issues and contribute to the future of your community.

Through the BawBaw 2050 Community Visioning, a number of key themes for our future have been identified. Over the next two years you’ll be invited to come along to hear more on a range of issues and get involved in the Community Conversations on the following key themes:

• Managing growth
• Lifelong learning education and skills development and knowledge
• Vibrant community living
• Valuing our environment
• Building responsible leadership
• Building prosperity

The Conversations will explore the topics and issues around the key themes above. They will be informative, have plenty of audience interaction and above all will be entertaining.

Baw Baw Community Conversations have been developed by the Baw Baw Shire Community Reference Group and Baw Baw Shire Council and is supported by the Victorian State Government.

Previous Community Conversations:

• "The Great Debate: Only the Hopeless are Homeless" (September 2012) - Moderated by Rod Quantock and special guest debaters Mathew Kenneally, Roy Hammond-Thomas, Elizabeth Phillips, Jeannie Haughton, Sue Grigg and Adrian Terranova.
• “Getting high speed and on-line with the National Broadband Network” (November 2011) – Helen Thompson, Michonne van Rees, Jane Oakley.
• “The role of culture and creativity in community wellbeing” (October 2011) - Marnie Badham, Rob Robson, Jude Anderson and Sue Acheson.
• “Population and planning: an expanding Melbourne and Baw Baw’s growing pains” (August 2011) – Professor Bob Birrell and Mr Ian Woodcock
• “What should our rural areas look like” Rural Areas Forum (April 2011) - Dr Michael Buxton, Dr Neil Barr, Alison Drew, Melanie Brown, Vin Quirk, Peter Williamson, Peter Kostos, Shelley McGuiness, Adrian Kennelly. 
• “Vibrant Communities: What makes places and communities great?” (Oct 2010) - David Engwicht. 
• What are the global ‘pieces’ that will affect Baw Baw’s future?” (May 2010) - Dr Peter Ellyard.

For Further Information:

Contact Council on 5624 2533 or stf@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au