G21 virtual forum all set to go live

THERE is still time to register for tomorrow’s G21 Stakeholder Forum which has switched to an online format for the first time.

Hundreds of people have signed up to watch the forum which will feature a keynote address by international journalist and author Stan Grant, who will discuss Indigenous affairs and the broader political and social landscape.

Pre-recorded messages from the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien will also be played during the two-hour forum which is usually held at Torquay RACV Club.

G21 CEO Elaine Carbines, who is stepping down from the role at the end of this year, will also provide some closing remarks to give an update on G21’s projects and reflect on her 10 years at the helm of the leading lobby group.

Ms Carbines said the forum would provide a unique opportunity to hear a suite of high-profile speakers from the comfort of your own home or office.

“I’m glad we’ve been able to hold it – they’ve been a must-do on the calendar for the region for the last five or six years,” she said.

“It was a big decision to go virtual but it is such an important thing to have the opportunity for local people to listen to really amazing speakers who can really lift horizons beyond what they would normally hear.”

Ms Carbines said she was particularly looking forward to having Stan Grant as the keynote speaker with the wealth of knowledge he has to share with the online audience.

“He was very supportive and co-operative and happy to Zoom in from his home in Sydney,” she said.

“It’s so exciting to have him as the speaker on a number of levels. He’s certainly an Indigenous leader in our country and it’s a very interesting times for our First Australians in Victoria with the government negotiating a Treaty with our Traditional Owners.”

The forum line-up also includes:

Wadawurrung woman and traditional owner Corrina Eccles discussing the Wadawurrung Aboriginal Corporation’s local Healthy Country Plan

A socio-economic analysis focusing on Geelong and the G21 region presented by Urbis

Panel discussion and Q&A with Deakin University vice-chancellor Professor Iain Martin, Victorian Industry Tourism Council chief executive officer Felicia Mariani and Geelong Arts Centre chief executive officer Joel McGuinness -discussing the impact of COVID-19 on their industries and how they see their recovery, and

A project showcase about the $350 million Cape Otway Road Australia (CORA) elite sports training and tourism complex proposed for Modewarre.

The 2020 G21 Stakeholder Forum will be broadcast online tomorrow (Friday, December 4) from 9.30-11.30am. To register, head to g21.com.au.