Municipal Association of Victoria

The role of councils is to provide good local governance for the benefit and wellbeing of the whole municipal community, to prioritize the best outcomes for everyone in their community.  Councillors must represent the interests of everyone in the community, taking into account the diversity of interests and needs in the community.    The Municipal Association of Victoria is proud to be hosting a special session of our Stand for Council program for candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and those who wish to engage with diverse communities. You are warmly welcomed to come along, hear from leading organisations and former councillors, and connect with other potential candidates.    📆 Monday 9 September 2024  ⏰5:30 pm to 7:15pm  📍Online only     Make sure to register via https://lnkd.in/g3aGsrM2

We're hiring a new Sector Learning and Development Lead. Are you passionate about innovative and high-impact learning? In this brand-new role, you will spearhead the design, development, and delivery of cutting-edge programs aligned with the MAV Strategy.  Apply today or share this post with your network.

Early Childhood Educators’ Day recognises and celebrates the work of Australia’s educators in early learning services for the significant role they play in supporting children’s wellbeing, learning and development in the early years.      Municipal Association of Victoria joins others in celebrating Early childhood educators, particularly those in Victoria’s Local Government context, who continue to play a vital role in creating quality early childhood foundations ‘Embracing diversity has early beginnings’.    To learn more about Early Childhood educators’ Day visit https://lnkd.in/dv5t2b8  #EarlyChildhoodEducatorsDay #EarlyChildhood

The MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide is a comprehensive resource to becoming a local government councillor in Victoria. 🙋♀️🙋♂️ From understanding the role of a councillor to navigating the election campaign, the Guide covers every aspect of becoming a local government representative, ensuring you are well-prepared for the challenges and rewards of public office. Divided into six sections, the guide enables the reader to delve into the entire content or focus on specific information as the need arises. Beginning with an introductory overview, topics include the roles and responsibilities of local government, how councils work including the legislative framework, the intricacies of being a councillor, council elections and candidate requirements. Whether you are a first-time candidate in the upcoming council elections, looking to return to role of councillor or a community member with an interest in local democracy, this guide is designed to assist. Check out the MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide here: https://lnkd.in/gckRzXTB

Throwback Thursday to 2023 MAV Annual conference - some great pics from a wonderful event! Each year we bring together the sector to celebrate the local government sector and explore the emerging challenges facing our councils. And our 2024 Conference is set to be just as spectacular with the conference theme being ‘Celebrating our work, reimagining the future, and creating optimism for what’s ahead’! Registrations are closing soon, so make sure you register today: https://lnkd.in/gn5jYEkx

Inclusivity and understanding are more important than ever. Councils have long led the way in this discussion, aiming to create equitable communities for everyone.   You may have seen the decision to not change the data collected by the next census, despite the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) including gender, sexual orientation and variations of sex characteristics in the proposed shortlist. Collecting LGBTIQA+ data isn’t just about numbers, it's about acknowledging and understanding people.   For councils, collecting this data is critical for a number of reasons. It informs policy making; accurate data helps councils craft policies that reflect the diverse needs of LGBTIQA+ individuals and communities ensuring their voices are heard and acknowledged along with all citizens.    It’s also vitally important in allowing councils to allocate resources – including mental health support, community events, or inclusive spaces – more effectively, targeting support where it’s needed most.   In not doing so, the census will miss the opportunity to ensuring that every community member has the opportunity to thrive. #inclusion #datadriven #localgoverment #LGBTIQA+ #publicpolicy

The rise of social media platforms has supercharged the ability of bad-faith actors to manipulate public opinion through disinformation. 📲🔥 Local government is in the middle of this battle for accuracy and integrity in the public discourse, with council events and other information activities increasingly facing disruption. In this panel event will hear from media and disinformation experts about what’s really going on, and provide practical guidance on how councils and council staff can protect and promote robust, healthy and accurate debate in the community. You’ll hear from: 💻 Ben Hart (Moderator) - Founder & Managing Director Fireside Agency 👨💻 Matteo Bonotti - Associate Professor Monash University 📳 Ika Trijsburg - Research Fellow, City of Diplomacy University of Melbourne, Melbourne Centre for Cities 📷 Mario Peucker - Associate Professor Industries and Liveable Cities - Victoria University  📢 Andrew Jaspan AM - Professor Monash University To register and reimagine the future with us, visit https://lnkd.in/gn5jYEkx

Thank you to all the delegates, sub-delegates and Council staff for attending today’s MAV State Council. We thank all the delegates for their service over the last 4 years as this will be the last State Council before the October local government elections. The MAV team will now get to work actioning the resolutions from today. ...And because it's our last State Council of the year, we thought we'd have some fun with the video! 📸 #localgovernment #MAVStateCouncil

Our first ever MAVlab Innovation Talks event is happening next week! 💡⚡💛🌞🙌🎉 These monthly events will be hosted online, convening a collection of international superstars with leading local practitioners sharing work from around Victoria and the world. This community connected themed MAVlab Innovation Talks will feature a curated conversation between visionary architect Nathalie de Vries (the DV from the world-renowned Dutch architecture practice MVRDV) and Jocelyn Chiew, Director of City Design at the City of Melbourne. Facilitated by 🗺 Bonnie Shaw (MAV Chief Innovator in Residence) this conversation will roam through topics like: how good public design can engage community in social spaces, the role of public design and architecture in activating cities and citizens, and how provocative design can empower greater participation in the public realm. Join us for a lively conversation and sharing of ideas! 📆 Wednesday, 28 August 2024 ⏰ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm 📍 Online, via Teams Register: https://lnkd.in/g3zZt8Xb

This week we hosted 133 council officers online for a 'pint-sized PD' on Gender Impact Assessments (GIAs) and high level documents, including Council Plans and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans. Councils heard from Kathy Oliver at GenderWorks Australia who took them through the relevant legislation, who is responsible for completing a GIA on these plans and a detailed case study. The session provided practical tips and suggested processes to progress this important piece of work. Thank you to everyone who attended 👏👏