Retired

For most of my working life I was employed at the National Headquarters of the PMG Department and then Australia Post in the fields of industrial relations, network planning and logistics, I joined the PMG Department in 1967 as part of the initial Commonwealth Public Service Graduate Training Program.

I have lived in Morwell since February 2021. Prior to this I resided in metropolitan Melbourne in Sandringham and Cheltenham. I have warmly embraced life in Latrobe Valley especially the community spirt and resilience of its people. I have however observed since living in Morwell the divide between metro and rural areas of Victoria as regards to quality health, medical, educational and other government support services.

I became involve in GLP via a fortuitous chance meeting on the rink of the Morwell Bowling Club with Richard Polmear, our vice president and fellow bowler from Yarragon. It is my privilege to be invited to join GLP and work with its and committed fellow members to advocate the cause of mine void REPURPOSING to ensure the future prosperity if the Latrobe Valley. Unless the 3 declared mine voids are REPURPOSED for economic benefit as well as community utility, current and future liveability and visual attractiveness the future prosperity of Latrobe Valley is at grave risk.

The following fundamentals are important to me in life:

• Christian value system.

• Family unit and the “political” structure that supports government in our society at the local, state and federal level.

• People should actively engage in the political process and public policy debate and demand best outcomes and hold our representatives to account.

• To add value whether it be in one’s personal, professional, sporting and extended community life.

• Leave a positive legacy for future custodians of this great country.

GLP is well credentialled with leadership, vision, knowledge, passion and integrity but lacks power, funding, influence and financial resourcing. It has since its inception in 2017, endeavoured to advocate as the community voice for mine void REPURPOSING and work collaboratively with other key stakeholders to advance mutual aims. GLP remains resolutely committed to its agenda, but needs leadership, vision and financial support from the respective political classes to achieve this.

The Latrobe Valley specifically and the extended Victorian community must demand more than the “minimalist” rehabilitation outcome that is enshrined in State Government mine void legislation. This requires only of the three (3) coal mine voids by their respective mine owners to a safe, stable and sustainable condition. The minimalist approach risks leaving 3 huge water filled holes in the landscape of Latrobe Valley in perpetuity that serve no community utility, will leave a visually unattractive landscape for current and future generations and serve NO economic benefit.

This is a slow death for the future of the Valley. WE MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN.