General News
18 August, 2022
New chair appointed to lead Go Goldfields
A new community leader is set to head Go Goldfields, with Rebecca Hanley appointed as independent chair of the leadership table recently. Inaugural chair Taren Gill held the position for the past 12 months, with the reins now handed over to Ms...
A new community leader is set to head Go Goldfields, with Rebecca Hanley appointed as independent chair of the leadership table recently.
Inaugural chair Taren Gill held the position for the past 12 months, with the reins now handed over to Ms Hanley following a unanimous recommendation from a panel of Go Goldfields partners, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Regional Development Victoria, and Central Goldfields Shire Council.
Ms Hanley is a Maryborough local and parent with a professional background in law, and said she was inspired to take on the role by her own experiences.
“I was raised by a single mum and was very fortunate to get a good education. I moved away and then came back to raise a family of my own,” she said.
“I know it’s a community that needs some support in terms of focusing on the early years of childhood development which is near and dear to my heart having primary school-aged kids of my own.
“I really think we can make an impact in our community.”
Ms Hanley is currently the executive general manager of governance and culture with Coliban Water and said she hopes to see Go Goldfields strengthen the community long-term.
“In my work with Coliban Water we have a lot of long term planning in terms of water security, so I’m used to planning for one, three, five to 20 years ahead,” she said.
“I was also a director at the Maldon Community Bank Branch where the values are focused on community development and enrichment.
“With Go Goldfields, we’ve got a really clear direction for our Every Child, Every Chance initiative and we’re really looking to leave a legacy where Go Goldfields is sustainable in the long-term.
“We have our short-term goals but we also want to see it evolve and strengthen the community long-term.”
Go Goldfields manager Carolyn Bartholomeusz said the independent chair position was adopted in late 2020 following changes to Go Goldfields governance arrange-ments.
“The change was aimed at putting local people in a lead position to drive action between service providers, community and government decision-makers to build collaboration and stronger outcomes for the community,” she said.
“Rebecca’s personal experience and professional leadership will be of great value to the members of the table.”
The leadership table is comprised of community members Garry Higgins and Caroline Thoroughgood along with executives from organisations including Anglicare Victoria, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperation, Centre for Non-Violence, Maryborough District Health Service, Committee for Maryborough and the local council, among others.