Local Government Leadership & Learning Centre
Thinking TransportVLGA Board
Office Bearers
Cr Beth Davidson - President
Beth has been a Councillor at Surfcoast Shire Council since 1998, and was Mayor for 4 terms, from 2001 to 2004. An enduring focus for Beth, is a personal commitment to community development and local democracy. Her priority is developing a resilient and sustainable future where citizens, agencies and governments develop the willingness and capacity to work together in a real way that reflects community values.
Beth is also a member of the CFA Board and is Victoria's representative on the National Seachange Taskforce.
Warren Maloney - Vice President
Warren has a long history of community service as a Councillor and an active member of many community groups. He was a Councillor on the former Brunswick Council between 1980 and 1984 and served 2 terms as Mayor. He returned to local government between 2003 and 2005 at the Shire of Hepburn, where he was also Mayor for 2 terms. Warren was President of the VLGA in 2005-06.
Cr Bill Penrose - Vice President
Bill’s first stint as a Councillor was in Eltham in 1991, 3 years before amalgamation. He is now in his third term as a Councillor at the Shire of Nillumbik, having served 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, he served 2 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.
Cr Janet Rice - Vice President
Janet is the Chair of the Metropolitan Transport Forum , and immediate past Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong. In her time on Council she has focused in particular on public transport, cycling and walking fulfilling their potential as planet and people friendly transport; and on quality sustainable urban environments.
Janet convenes the VLGA women’s policy group, and is on the steering committee for the ‘Building Communities: A Leadership Journey’ project. Janet is also a member of the MAV – Vicroads Liaison Committee and MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group.
Cr Peter Russell - Treasurer
Peter has been a Moorabool Shire Councillor since March 1999, representing the rapidly growing ‘peri-urban’ community of Bacchus Marsh. In his two terms as Mayor, Cr Russell has been a strong, persistent and articulate advocate for issues relating to the Ballarat Corridor.
Board Members
Simon Chambers
Simon has been involved in the VLGA in a variety of capacities since 2000. He is a Social Worker with strong beliefs and values regarding social justice, disadvantage, disability and quality of life issues in society.
Simon offers a range of direct services perspectives from his ten years experience in the welfare and community sectors. Simon looks forward to promoting community connectedness and the informed community as a VLGA board member.
Cr John Connor
I have been a Councillor at Macedon Ranges Shire since 2000. I have served as Mayor for two terms and my main interests are gambling issues and community advocacy including disability access. I am chairperson both of Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) and M.R.S.C. Disability Advisory Group (D.A.G.)
I am proud to be a member of the VLGA Board as I see this as an opportunity to be part of the changing role of the VLGA in representing the community and local government.
Cr John Doull
I came to local government in November 2004, becoming a Councillor at the Borough of Queenscliffe, from a background in Project Management and Aviation amongst other things. I have enjoyed the challenge of Council, largely supported with advice, information and training from the VLGA. I am especially interested in advancing community participation in determining their own futures, with the VLGA being well positioned to do this through community planning, leadership, training etc.
I would like to help lift the profile of the sector, with increased community participation in the business of local government; to encourage positive efficient functioning Councils; to promote the role and values of the VLGA.
Cr Lyn Gunter
Lyn is a Councillor with the Murrindindi Shire. Lyn served 2 terms on Yea shire and is currently in her 3rd Term on Murrindindi Shire having served 3 terms as Mayor. She has completed the AICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors) course and is a current member of AICD.
Her experience and knowledge will assist her in being an effective Board Member on the VLGA.
Lyn is committed to continuous improvement and achieving outcomes that will acknowledge, recognise and lift the profile of not only the VLGA but local government.
Lyn is an Honorary Justice of the Peace and a Board Member of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.
Bernie Millane
Bernie was a Councillor at Whitehorse City Council from March 2000 to November 2005.
Through all his Council and community group activities, Bernie keenly pursues his interest in social justice and indigenous issues, public administration, local government and constitutional reform, local democracy and community consultation.
Tom Moloney
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.
Rae Perry (ex officio)
Rae Perry is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Local Governance Association. Ms Perry's local government experience comes from two terms as a councillor for the City of Darebin and one term as Mayor. Ms Perry also served a member of the MAV Board and ALGA Board. Ms Perry was the first woman elected to lead local governments in Australia as President of the ALGA.
From a diverse background in nursing, midwifery, trade unions, international public policy work with Oxfam and as a governance officer in local government Rae has unique perspective on advocacy and working with local communities. Those local communities stretch as far as our global backyard in Timor-Leste and working with Mayors in the Philippines.