VLGA Connect

On this week's episode of VLGA Connect, Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers joins Chris Eddy to discuss councillor attendance, meeting participation and the expectations of the role. 

Chris also chats to Hobson's Bay City Cr Rayane Hawli, who shares why 'you don’t need anyone’s permission to lead' and reflects on how she’s working to improve representation in local government after being named an Emerging Leader at this year’s Mary Rogers Awards.

Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

In this week's episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks to the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Nick Reece, about the challenges facing the M9 group of councils as they expect to accommodate up to a million more residents by 2051.

Chris also chats to Simon Harrex (Victorian Local Governance Association) and John Armitage (QDos) about the launch of the 2026 Victorian Councillor Census, who tell us more about how the census is conducted and what the data is used for.

Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

In this week's special episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews the new Local Government Minister in Victoria, the Hon Tim Richardson MP.

Together they discuss his approach to the portfolio and what he sees as the sector's priorities in the months ahead, with the November state election fast approaching. 

Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to unpack two recent Council conduct decisions. 

Chris also chats with Surf Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Libby Stapleton, about the push for a rapid transit link between Geelong and Torquay, and an innovative trial to improve the availability of longer term rental homes in the tourist town of Lorne.

Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on a special edition of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by 2026 Mary Rogers Award Winner Councillor Melina Sehr from Stonnington City Council. 

Cr Sehr received the honour at a special Award ceremony at Queen's Hall, Parliament House last week.

This is the second year the VLGA has delivered the Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government, in partnership with the Victorian Government.

Named after Mary Rogers – the first woman to be elected to a Victorian Municipal Council (City of Richmond 1920-1925) – the annual Awards, first launched by the VLGA last year, celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of women Councillors as civic leaders in local government.

Councillor Sehr was recognised for the enduring impact she has had as a civic leader across her 24 years on Council.  Cr Sehr has been a strong advocate for other Councillors and an inspirational and courageous leader who has championed civic participation, gender equality, and advocated for a safer working landscape for Councillors, particularly women.

Her leadership has actively reshaped the landscape for women working in government and public life, driving systematic change that ensures women can  participate as civic leaders safely and without fear.

Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on a special edition of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by 2026 Mary Rogers Award Winner Councillor Melina Sehr from Stonnington City Council. 

Cr Sehr received the honour at a special Award ceremony at Queen's Hall, Parliament House last week.

This is the second year the VLGA has delivered the Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government, in partnership with the Victorian Government.

Named after Mary Rogers – the first woman to be elected to a Victorian Municipal Council (City of Richmond 1920-1925) – the annual Awards, first launched by the VLGA last year, celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of women Councillors as civic leaders in local government.

Councillor Sehr was recognised for the enduring impact she has had as a civic leader across her 24 years on Council.  Cr Sehr has been a strong advocate for other Councillors and an inspirational and courageous leader who has championed civic participation, gender equality, and advocated for a safer working landscape for Councillors, particularly women.

Her leadership has actively reshaped the landscape for women working in government and public life, driving systematic change that ensures women can  participate as civic leaders safely and without fear.

Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers.

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by General Manager of Murrumbidgee Council in NSW, John Scarce, to discuss the council’s decision to trial a four-day working week.

Chris also sits down with Merri-bek City Council Mayor Cr Nat Abboud about a new national guide and toolkit to help local councils across Australia create healthier, happier open streets around schools. This is joint initiative between Merri-Bek and Kingston City Council. 

 Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers. 

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to discuss the latest developments on new legislation to amend the Local Government Act. They also unpack two new councillor conduct decisions out of Kingston City Council - including  a councillor suspension. 

Chris is also joined by Greater Dandenong City Council Chief Executive Officer Jacqui Weatherill, and independent facilitator Dr Tania Miletic from Melbourne University, to talk through a unique and timely social cohesion project in Melbourne’s southeast and its outcomes.

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to discuss the latest developments at Hepburn Shire and the related Supreme Court case. They also review the status of the Government’s new local government bill and look at how it compares to the Opposition’s alternative bill.

Chris is also joined by Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, President of South Australia’s Local Government Association and Mayor of the City of Mitcham, to discuss how the five-month delay to local council elections is affecting the sector, along with other local government developments from across the border.

Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999

This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Greater Geelong City Council Mayor, Dr Stretch Kontelj to find out more about his push for a special economic zone pilot in central Geelong, similar to what has been rolled out in Ireland and China.

Chris also sits down with Dawn Bray from the VLGA, and Sally Clarke, a global expert on burnout and culture, to discuss the VLGA’s Councillor Professional Development Program,  including Mayoral Leadership, and its  focus this year on the health and wellbeing of elected members.

Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers.

Support the show

To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here.

If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 03 9349 7999