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Latrobe City’S Regional Partnership Manager Receives 2012 Churchill FellowshipA journey to some of the world’s most innovative local governments awaits Latrobe City Council’s Manager Regional Partnerships, Julia Agostino. By Latrobe City - 13th July 2012 - Back to News As one of Victoria’s 2012 Churchill Fellowship recipients, Ms Agostino will spend approximately six weeks travelling to look at strategies other local governments have successfully used to transition their communities through changing economic times.
"I am very excited about this opportunity to meet and learn from people who have gone through economic and social transition already, and who have led the way in doing that."
"I’m looking for innovative strategies that have worked, as well as learning about the sorts of things that haven’t. I anticipate some very interesting conversations will take place over the six weeks," Ms Agostino said.
Ms Agostino will travel to England, Wales, Denmark and the USA, visiting organisations that have played a part in transitioning landmark cities and towns such as Sheffield in the UK and Chatanooga in the USA.
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust was set up shortly after the death of Churchill, and in the past 47 years, it has awarded the prestigious fellowships to 3700 Australians.
Latrobe City Council’s mayor, Councillor Ed Vermeulen, said that a key requirement of the Trust was that recipients demonstrate the value of their project to the Australian community.
"In her role as manager regional partnerships, Julia has already demonstrated the worth of articulating our region’s needs as we have received many visits from government ministers at State and Federal level to discuss our transition to a low carbon economy. The personal knowledge and experience she will gain during her trip, as well as the networks that will be opened up to Latrobe City Council via her travels, will be invaluable in terms of proactively supporting our community.
"On behalf of the Councillors and the organisation I would like to congratulate Julia on her achievement and look forward to her sharing her learnings with us on her return," Cr Vermeulen said.
Ms Agostino agreed that being able to tap into the experience that other organisations have already been through would complement the plans for transition here.
"I really hope that what I learn will contribute to the proactive approach that Latrobe City Council has taken over the last few years to ensure a low carbon transition for the region," Ms Agostino concluded.
Ms Agostino will travel later this year, and will then have ten weeks in which to compile and present her report demonstrating how her findings will benefit the Australian community.
Media Enquiries:
Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Ed Vermeulen
Telephone: 0428 148 585
Latrobe City deputy mayor, Councillor Sharon Gibson
Telephone: 0429 338 762
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 5128 5458 or 0409 797 498
For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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