About the VLGA Board
The VLGA Board has the power to perform all such acts and things as appear to the Board to be essential for the proper management of the business and affairs of the Association.
Elections for the positions of the Board take place in February every two years. Each member of the Board holds office for two years and is eligible for re-election. All VLGA individual members, member community organisations and councillors from member councils are eligible to vote.
The Board consists of the President, three Vice Presidents, a Treasurer and six ordinary members, at least two of whom shall be elected councillors from member councils and at least two of whom shall be from our individual and community organisation membership. The President, Treasurer and two of the Vice Presidents must be councillors from member councils.
The President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer and Public Officer comprise the Officer Bearers of the Association. When necessary, the Office Bearers may act as an Executive in between Board meetings, with the same powers as the Board.
The VLGA Board is guided by a Governance Framework which is regularly updated. A copy of the Governance Framework can be requested by calling the Executive Assistant on T: (03) 9349 7901.
Office Bearers
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Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
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M: 0438 006 656
Cr Heinz Kreutz works as a senior lecturer at Monash University’s School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, and dedicates most of his spare time to his local community, especially the residents of Lynden Ward in the City of Boroondara, where he was first elected in 2002.
Heinz's interests cover a broad spectrum. He holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics and has a professional interest in languages, linguistics and translation studies. His community engagement reflects his passion for social justice, local government and the environment at the local community level. In addition to being the VLGA President, Heinz is chairman of the Melbourne Metropolitan Waste Management Board, and serves on the Melbourne Metropolitan Transport Forum, Victorian Litter Action Alliance and Environment Advisory Group of the Municipal Association of Victoria.
Heinz considers himself fortunate to be able to combine his professional interests and expertise with some of the key principles and underlying philosophy of the VLGA. He is a member of the Centre for Civil Society and the State Government’s Standing Committee on Local Government and Cultural Diversity. His work on cultural learning, neighbourhood cultural exchange, intergenerational education and positive ageing is complemented by a passion for good local government, community governance systems and adequate local support and service delivery to community groups.
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Cr John Doull
Vice President
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M: 0448 560 897
Cr John Doull was first elected to the Borough of Queenscliffe in November 2004, and then to the City of Greater Geelong in November 2008. He currently represents the Coryule Ward and holds the portfolio for Environment and Sustainability and Climate Change.
Cr Doull lives in Portarlington and has been a Bellarine Peninsula resident for the past 13 years.
Cr Doull comes from a background in project management and aviation (he is a qualified pilot and flying instructor). He enjoys the challenge of Council, largely supported with advice, information and training from the VLGA. He is especially interested in advancing community participation in local affairs and believes the VLGA is well positioned to do this through community planning, leadership, training etc.
Cr Doull would like to help lift the profile of the sector, and encourage positive, efficient and functioning councils. He is also keen to promote the role and values of the VLGA.
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Cr Jeanette McRae
Vice President
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M: 0407 308 316
Cr Jeanette McRae became a Councillor in 2005 as a passionate advocate for the rights
and responsibilities of communities to be informed, knowledgeable and
have real opportunities to participate in decision-making for
sustainable futures and for progressive social change.
As Vice President, she acknowledges the responsibility and accountability
required and the leadership sought by members. Cr McRae will work to achieve
this by:
- Ensuring that issues of interest to the VLGA community are dealt with transparently and with integrity
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Working with others in a professional, respectful and committed way
Cr McRae's goals include:
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Achievement of the VLGA Vision, Mission and Values
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Acknowledgement of the diversity and special attributes of our environment and communities
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Determination of innovative ways of resourcing
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Bill Penrose
Vice President
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M: 0438 277 427
Bill's first stint as a Councillor was in Eltham in 1991, three years
before amalgamation. He served three terms as a Councillor at the Shire
of Nillumbik, one year as Mayor. His policies have always been
environmental, fighting to ensure the Green Wedge is protected and is
available for all of Melbourne to enjoy.
A long term member of the VLGA, Bill served two years as the Chair of the
Consultation and Engagement Committee and has been a co-opted member of
the Board for that period. He continually ensures the local community
is engaged, not just consulted, with all Council projects and will
continue that policy within the VLGA.
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Cr Samantha Dunn
Treasurer
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M: 0407 364 509
Samantha was elected to the Shire of Yarra Ranges council in 2005 and is serving her second term as a councillor.
Samantha also plays a key role in advocating for sustainable transport
and reducing car dependency, and this year was elected Chairperson of
the Eastern Transport Coalition.
She represents the community on a number of different committees mainly
focussed on environment, transport, the early years and community
health and wellbeing. She is a committed and passionate member of the Dandenong Ranges
community and is focussed on improving liveability in the Shire of
Yarra Ranges.
Samantha's background is as a financial controller in the vocational education
not-for-profit sector. She has a thorough understanding of the role of a
peak body and the need for good financial stewardship of the VLGA
particularly given the current state of flux of financial markets.
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Richard Brown
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M: 0407 091 004
Richard Brown has had an active role in local community affairs
going back to the early seventies. He has worked with community groups
on campaigns around planning, transport and environmental
sustainability and contributed to local history and community arts
projects, most recently as President of the South Alphington and
Fairfield Civic Association.
Richard is currently working for Moreland and Hume City Councils as the
project coordinator of an East Timor friendship relationship.
Previously he has worked with local government in several roles,
including project manager, organisation change consultant, career
counsellor, trainer, and media adviser. He has also worked in
journalism and broadcasting, as a university lecturer and as a
government policy adviser.
He is committed to harnessing the creativity and energy of community
organisations to partner with local government to develop sustainable
communities.
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Cr Grace La Vella
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M: 0417 522 238
As a Manningham Councillor, Cr Grace La Vella has been a strong advocate for
improved public transport including federal funding for public
transport. She has actively campaigned for better roads, public transport, bike
lanes and urban planning by participating in the Eastern Transport
Coalition, the Metropolitan Transport Forum, North Eastern Integrated
Transport Strategy and as Chairperson of Council’s Strategic Transport
Advisory Committee. Cr La Vella has also been re-appointed by Minister Tim
Pallas onto the Victorian Road Based Public Transport Advisory Council
for another two years until 2011.
Grace believes community groups must be the driving force behind positive
change and as a Senior Administrator, Counsellor and past Health Care
professional, she can utilise her skills to help the VLGA take cohesive
action to achieve local community goals. Cr La Vella can also provide strong
leadership and effective local governance to strengthen the VLGA’s
capacity to work with the State Government and municipalities for
progressive social change.
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Kate Lempriere
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M: 0409 402 730
Former Cardinia Shire councillor for two terms 2003-2008 and elected
mayor twice, Kate Lempriere is married, mother, grandmother, former nurse,
experienced small business owner, former chair of Save Children Vic,
lobbyist, Rotarian, board member of Awards Victoria (D of E), board
member of Cardinia Foundation, Dame Sovereign Order St John of Jerusalem 'Knights Hospitaller', board member of ALGWA, and board member of VLGA.
Kate has represented interests at Roads Infrastructure Victoria,
Interface Council, Melbourne 2030, Chairman major infrastructure project (Lend Lease Delfin 2003-08), chaired Cardinia Cultural Centre
infrastructure project, chaired Maternal Child and Early Childhood and
Education Committees, and chaired Public Art & Culture policy procedure.
As a community member of the VLGA Board, Kate's aim is to contribute to
strengthening community understanding of VLGA’s goals. Kate has
established direct contact with state ministers, bureaucrats and strategic
planners, and believes she has gained their respect and co-operation by
progressing relationships between community, council, government and
the instrumentalities so they continue working effectively together to
progress local, regional, and state development projects for the
environmental and financial benefit of our region and Victoria.
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Tom Moloney
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M: 0407 358 031
Tom was a founding member of the VLGA. Since 1992 he has been the
spokesperson of the Prahran Residents' Association. Tom actively
pursues issues through community groups such as the Prahran
Neighbourhood House (Committee of Management), Save Our Suburbs (local
area representative), Stonnington Citizens for Reconciliation, as well
as those such as easing traffic through local streets. As a
non-councillor, non-local-government-officer member of the Board he
strives to maintain the community perspective so important to the VLGA
ethos.
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Cr Rachel Powning
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M: 0418 389 346
Rachel was elected to the City of Port Phillip council in 2008, and in 2010 was elected Deputy Mayor. As both a councillor and community member Rachel is committed to achieving equity and diversity in her local community. Rachel is also passionate about improving local awareness of the impacts of climate change, and empowering local communities to act to reduce carbon emissions. As a member of the VLGA Board, Rachel's aims are to consolidate the critical role of the VLGA as an expert on good governance in both theory and practice, and ensure the financial sustainability of the VLGA.
Rachel's professional background includes several years as a management consultant to state and local government, experience in the international development sector and as an employee in local government. Rachel is also a Director of the Port Phillip Housing Association.
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Cr Tim Rodgers
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M: 0417 585 142
Cr Tim Rodgers has represented the Nepean Ward, Mornington Peninsula Shire since 2005, serving as Mayor in 2006.
He currently represents Mornington Peninsula Shire as Councillor Appointed Representative for Association of Bayside Municipalities, Housing Policy Reference Group, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives – Water Campaign, Cities for climate Protection Australia Program, Municipal Association of Victoria, The Australian Mayors Council for Climate Protection and Regional Waste Management Group – Director.
Cr Rodgers is acutely aware that climate change will be an issue of major importance, and that there is a need for accelerated action.