New challenge follows from key role at G21

AFTER 10 years at G21 supporting the executive and board, Nada Malinac says the organisation has really proved what can be achieved with a collaborative approach.

Ms Malinac is ready for her new challenge at Regional Development Victoria (RDV) but she’s taken time to reflect on her decade-long journey with the region’s local government advocacy group and its success story.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes and had an opportunity to work with a lot of mayors, CEOs and board directors; and I worked closely with Elaine Carbines (former G21 chief executive officer).
“I feel so lucky and fortunate to work with such amazing people and to see what working together collaboratively can achieve.

“We grew to be a very close-knit team; Elaine was a very strong leader, intelligent and very passionate about the organisation.”

Ms Malinac said a highlight of G21’s achievements over the 10 years was the Geelong City Deal, which secured more than $382 million in federal and state funding for projects to revitalise Geelong and boost the Great Ocean Road visitor economy.

“The board would travel to Canberra, and Elaine and the board put a lot of work into that; that was a massive achievement,” she said.

“My role as the executive assistant was organising their agendas and itineries; and I would work directly with the board.

“Each council is very different, from the small councils like the borough to the City of Greater Geelong, and they all do different things, but every single one of them has such strong, intelligent leaders.

“I was very fortunate to work with the people that are involved with the G21 councils, and all those stakeholder groups and agencies, working together collaboratively for their communities.”

Ms Malinac said she had also enjoyed organising the annual stakeholder forum, bringing together keynote speakers and people from across the region.

“We would have 300-plus at the event and it was always a sell-out which I believe speaks highly of the event; to see all those people come together each year was quite amazing.”

Ms Malinac has moved on to a position at RDV where she will use the knowledge and experience she has gained with G21 to step into project management in addition to an executive assistant role.