Future to be explored at forum

RISING to the challenge of creating sustainable, connected communities as the region grows will be a focus of next month’s G21 Stakeholder Forum.

The annual event, planned for 6 August at the RACV Torquay Resort, promises lively, thought-provoking discussions from a stellar list of guest speakers, with former ABC presenter Jon Faine as MC.

The forum will provide an opportunity to hear from author and journalist George Megalogenis and urban research expert distinguished Professor Billie Giles-Corti.

Mr Megalogenis has observed national politics and demographic changes in Australia for more than three decades for The Australian, the ABC and The Age.

He’s also the author of five books, including The Australian Moment which won the 2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Non-fiction and the 2012 Walkley Award for Non-fiction, and formed the basis for his three-part ABC documentary series Making Australia Great.

Professor Giles-Corti is a professorial fellow at RMIT University and leads the Healthy Liveable Cities Group in the Centre for Urban Research.

For more than 20 years, she has studied the impact of the built environment on health and wellbeing, and led thought-provoking discussion on the features of the 20-minute neighbourhood.

She’s also led the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Liveable Communities, was RMIT’s Urban Futures Enabling Capability Development Platform director and foundation director of UWA’s Centre for the Built Environment.

G21 Forum guests can also expect to take away ideas and insights into sustainable growth and shaping a community for future generations during a panel discussion with Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles, sustainable architect Jeremy McLeod, economist Angela Jackson and urban planner Nat Anson.

The forum’s primary supporting sponsors include the Times News Group – publisher of the Golden Plains Times, Gforce Employment Solutions, TAC and Deakin University.

Tickets include entry to the forum, morning tea, lunch and post-forum drinks and canapés, with 10 per cent of ticket sales going to a charity in each G21 council area.

Bookings can be made via eventbrite.com.au – search for G21 stakeholder forum 2021.