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Former Premier drops in to ‘Our Future Our Place’ project

Former Premier of Victoria and current Chair of the Victorian Communities Ministerial Advisory Committee, the Hon Joan Kirner AM, visited Morwell last Friday, 30 September.

By Latrobe City Council - 5th October 2005 - Back to News

Ms Kirner visited the ‘Our Future Our Place’ project in Well Street Morwell and the Morwell Neighbourhood House to find out how these two specific projects contributed to community building.

The Victorian Communities Ministerial Advisory Committee provides advice to the Minister for Victorian Communities on successful initiatives in community building including volunteering.

The committee also looks at ways to build partnerships between business and community strengthening projects; and identifies actions needed to foster a whole of government approach to supporting community building initiatives.

Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Buckley, said that Ms Kirner’s visit was part of a tour of Gippsland to examine local community-based projects that contribute to strengthening and enhancing community life.

Mr Denis Moriarty, (Deputy Chairperson) Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder Our Community, accompanied Joan Kirner on the information gathering exercise.

"The ‘Our Future Our Place’ project is an innovative project involving long-term unemployed in housing construction. Forty long-term unemployed are receiving training during the first year of the project, providing them with the opportunity to gain certificate 2 and 3 in building and construction, or of proceeding on to formal apprenticeships," Mr Buckley explained.

"Talking with participants, Ms Kirner wanted to explore what worked with the project and what were the barriers that had to be overcome to succeed.

"She was also keen to note the lessons that can be applied from the experience gained in developing these projects that may be helpful to other communities," Mr Buckley said.

"Participants in the ‘Our Future Our Place’ project demonstrated the benefits of planning a project, which fostered a whole of government approach in supporting community building initiatives and the partnerships that have been created between the business community and the project," Mr Buckley added.

Following her visit to the ‘Our Future Our Place’ project site, Ms Kirner visited the Morwell Neighbourhood House.

Photo: Former Premier of Victoria Joan Kirner visited the ‘Our Future Our Place’ project site in Morwell last week.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  East Gippsland Shire Council and farmers welcome $2.75 million for feral pig control, focusing on public land, local employment, and coordinated efforts to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and regional communities.
• Melina Bath urges safe driving, responsible camping across Eastern Victoria during busy Australia Day weekend celebrations
  Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath urges motorists to drive safely and campers to follow regulations during Australia Day weekend, respecting fire warnings, the environment, and local community events.
• South Gippsland Shire Council seeks independent chairperson for CEO Employment Committee role, submit quotations by 20 April 2026
  Council seeks qualified consultants for Independent Chairperson of the CEO Employment Committee, overseeing CEO performance. The advisory role spans two years, with extensions, and includes at least two meetings annually.
• Bass Coast Shire Council adopts 2024 - 2025 Annual Report, showcasing community achievements and future strategic direction
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2024 - 2025 Annual Report, celebrating achievements, community progress, and the completion of the 2021 - 2025 Council Plan while setting a new strategic direction for 2025-2029.