2025 Regional Cities Victoria 25th year

Cr Shane Sali, Mayor of Greater Shepparton and Cr Andrea Metcalf, Mayor of Greater Bendigo have today been re-elected Chair and Deputy Chair of Regional Cities Victoria (RCV).

RCV is a leadership group comprising the Mayors and CEOs of the 10 largest regional cities – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga.
Cr Sali said now more than ever, it was important regional voices are heard.

“In 2025 RCV marks 25 years as the trusted voice to government for the regions, their cities and the rural communities they support,” Cr Sali said.

“With a federal election expected in the first half of 2025 and a state election in 2026, RCV is determined to ensure that through dynamic policy settings regional Victoria can home a greater proportion of the state’s population and economic prosperity.

“We will continue our work towards RCV’s vision for regional prosperity and enhanced liveability through sustainable growth,” Cr Sali said.

Deputy Mayor Cr Metcalf said investment in regional Victoria was vital, to enable Victoria’s regional centres to grow, to secure a skilled workforce, and to further enhance the liveability our regional centres.

“Our regional cities are central to what makes Victoria so great, and as more people embrace our opportunities – we must ensure that the jobs, housing and lifestyle offerings are matched with reliable services and community infrastructure,” Cr Metcalf said.

Following Mayoral elections, RCV has also welcomed seven new mayors to the group, including:
• Stretch Kontelj, Geelong
• Tracey Hargreaves, Ballarat
• Ian Ross, Horsham
• Dale Harriman, Latrobe
• Helen Healy, Mildura
• Irene Grant, Wangaratta
• Michael Gobel, Wodonga

RCV advocates for the sustainable growth of Victoria’s regions, and for policies and programs that help attract business investment and a diverse workforce to regional Victoria. Collectively, these cities are home to more than 800,000 Victorians.

Entire group from left to right: Evan King (CEO, Ballarat), Andrew Cooney (CEO, Bendigo), Andrew Mason (CEO, Warrnambool), Cr Tracey Hargreaves (Mayor, Ballarat), Cr Shane Sali (Mayor, Shepparton), Cr Helen Healey (Mayor, Mildura), Ali Wastie (CEO, Geelong), Cr Irene Grant (Mayor, Wangaratta), Matt Hyde (CEO, Wodonga), Cr Andrea Metcalf (Mayor, Bendigo), Cr Dale Harriman (Mayor, Latrobe), Fiona Le Gassick (CEO, Shepparton), Cr Ian Ross (Mayor, Horsham), Craig Niemann (CEO, Horsham), Cr Michael Gobel (Mayor, Wodonga), Brendan McGrath (CEO, Wangaratta), Steven Piasente (CEO, Latrobe).