Golden Plains Shire Council and Sustain: The Australian Food Network invite you to attend the Golden Plains Shire Local Food Forum.

GPSC has engaged Sustain to establish a community food network throughout 2024. This will be a group of local food and farming stakeholders who will draft an action plan for Golden Plains Shire to support the local agriculture and food industries and improve access to local, sustainable, and healthy food for all residents.

The Network will meet four times throughout the year to discuss solutions to challenges in the local food system; influence and advocate for policy change; and create projects that reinvigorate the food system and support community local food needs.

This forum is an integral stage in the formation of this network and action plan, giving likeminded, passionate community members the opportunity to collaboratively imagine how we can create a thriving food sector, as well as providing an opportunity to hear from a diverse range of leaders and change makers.

The Forum will include:

Keynote Speech by Millie Ross from Gardening Australia
Food and plant swap
Panel discussion with local producers’ food systems change makers exploring their experiences and reflections in the sector
Addresses from Local and State politicians
Presentation of the Food Needs Assessment research, including the community food survey results
Two workshop activities for community members to voice their ideas on how to create a thriving local food system

EOIs for joining the Local Food Network will be handed out at the forum for those interested in being involved in the implementation of the ideas generated at the Forum.

We encourage you to join this unique forum, to share your passion and learn more about the local food climate in the Golden Plains Shire.

Catering

This event will be catered, with food options suiting all, from dal Cafe & Catering, Geelong.

Speakers

Millie Ross – Gardening Australia

Millie Ross is a professional horticulturist, garden designer, writer and broadcaster. She is one of the Victorian presenters for ABC TV Gardening Australia and Head of Research for the program.

As an innovative gardener with an unconventional approach, she specialises in creative construction and sourcing local, low-cost materials to use plants in unique ways.

Author of The Thrifty Gardener; a practical guide to building the garden you want with whatever you've got, Millie provides valuable insights into growing your garden.

Sarah Mansfield – Victorian Parliamentary member for Western Victoria

Sarah Mansfield is an Australian politician from Geelong, Victoria. A member of the Greens, she has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Council since the 2022 Victorian state election, representing the Western Victoria Region.

Before her election, she was a councillor for the City of Greater Geelong, first elected in 2017 and again re-elected in 2020. She also worked as a general practitioner. Mansfield was also a candidate in the 2016 Australian federal election for the Corio Electorate.

Cr Gavin Gamble - Golden Plains Shire

As a Teesdale local of 18 years, Cr Gavin Gamble has a long history of active community involvement in the Shire. Cr Gavin Gamble served as Mayor in 2021/22 and Deputy Mayor in 2022/23.

Cr Gamble has professional experience as a school teacher, brewer and now operates his own gardening business across Golden Plains Shire.

Cr Gamble is a member of the Australian Greens and is passionate about pursuing action to address climate change, protecting the Shire’s unique biodiversity, responsible development and township enhancements, provision of greater transport and recreational options, and support for cultural and wellbeing initiatives.

Cr Gamble is an Infrastructure and Development Portfolio Councillor and Council’s representative on the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, the G21 Environment Pillar and the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee and Environment Committee.

Amy Tacey – Food-hub Coordinator at Common Ground Project

Amy Tacey has been passionately thinking about collaborative and tangible contributions to a better food system for the past several years, including studying in this area and forming a food justice not-for-profit primarily targeted at youth.

Amy’s role at Common Ground Project focuses on the coordination of the Food Hub and how it can connect the local region’s small scale producers to anyone and everyone. Amy believes that all people deserve access to high quality produce, connection with community and empowering knowledge-sharing spaces.

She loves hosting elaborate dinner parties, a bit like Mirka Mora would have, but also combining that passion with serious effort into re-designing food environments to be more equitable, convivial and supportive.

Liz Roberts - Ballarat Community Health

Liz Roberts is a Community Engagement Officer at Ballarat Community Health, where she has been working with the Dereel community for close to two years. Her passion lies in meeting people, listening to their stories, and helping them build stronger, more connected communities. In her time at Dereel, Liz has been able to do just that, working alongside community members to create a beautiful, functional and sustainable community garden.

One of Liz's most noteworthy projects has been her partnership with the Dereel Men's Shed. Together, they have transformed a patch of land into a wonderful garden, where community members can come together to grow fresh produce and connect with each other. This project has not only provided the community with a source of healthy, locally-grown food, but has also fostered a sense of pride and ownership among those involved.

Dr Nick Rose - Sustain: The Australian Food Network

Nick Rose has been the Executive Director of Sustain since its establishment in January 2016. With a background In law and community development, Nick brings more than a decade of working at the grassroots and institutional level in several Australian states in food sovereignty and sustainable food systems. He is the editor of "Fair Food: Stories From a Movement Changing The World (2015)" and the co-editor of "Reclaiming The Urban Commons: The Past, Present and Future of Food Growing in Australian Towns And Cities (2018)." Nick is also a lecturer in food systems, food policy and governance and food movements for William Angliss Institute in their Bachelor of Food Studies and Master of Food Systems and Gastronomy.

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