G21 Regional Forum begins

THIS year’s G21 Regional Forum is under way this morning (Thursday, October 3), with about 280 people gathering at RACV Torquay Resort for the full-day event.

Welcoming guests to the forum and speaking on the event’s theme of “Growing Well Together”, G21 Geelong Region Alliance chief executive officer Giulia Baggio said the region now had much more information about “who’s doing well and who’s really struggling”.

“We know that divide in our region is vast, because our wealthiest and our poorest postcodes are just a stone’s throw away from each other.

“We know people can’t pay their rent, can’t find a home, can’t afford to run a car, and more people than you think are struggling to put food on the table on a regular basis.

“The evidence tells us that even these short-term deprivations can lead to long-term health problems, and that’s why we’re here today: to do a bit of a health check on the region.”

Coming speakers at the 2024 forum include Dr Norman Swan, Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, Barwon Health’s Dr Steve Moylan, Geelong Food Relief CEO Andrew Schauble, Geelong Chamber of Commerce CEO Jeremy Crawford, Barwon Water chair Jo Plummer and Geelong Arts Centre CEO Rhys Holden.

Attendees include Corangamite federal member Libby Coker, Geelong MP Christine Couzens, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant, Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney (who officially opened the event), and several councillors and representatives from G21’s five municipalities – Surf Coast, Geelong, Queenscliffe, Golden Plains and Colac Otway.

The G21 Regional forum is being simulcast on local radio station 94.7 The Pulse – to tune in, head to 947thepulse.com 

For a full wrap of the forum, see next week’s editions of the Times.