Cr Shane Sali grew up in Shepparton where he now lives with his three children and wife Lirie. The couple operate local fashion retail stores.

Shane started his career in telecommunications, and in 2013, he later joined his family businesses to further advance business skills set across retail stores.

Shane is an active member of the Greater Shepparton business community and deeply committed to the Goulburn Valley community and his heritage, sitting on the Shepparton Albanian Committee for the past 12 years.

Fiona has led a rich career across a number of organisations, sectors and portfolios within Victoria and Tasmania.

Fiona has expertise, strengths and experience in strategic and business planning, government and stakeholder relations, industry and community engagement, business and workforce development, and cultural change.

She also brings in-depth knowledge on strategic marketing and communications, customer service, people management, development and leadership, service model development, financial management and leading organisational and community transformation.

Prior to returning to Greater Shepparton City Council as CEO, Fiona has held director, management and leadership roles at Council, TasTAFE (Tasmania),  GOTAFE, Berry Street and the former Victorian Department of Human Services, including a recent stint as acting Chief Operating Officer at TasTAFE.

As a skilled and result-driven Executive, Fiona is able to conceive and transform strategic ideas, into tangible opportunities and outcomes. Working in partnership, she further has the ability to deliver projects that best position an organisation, industry or region in a competitive environment.

Fiona has qualifications in management, marketing, psychology, sociology and social work and is a graduate of the Australian Company Directors course.

Fiona has been an active Board member for a range of community and commercial organisations in both Greater Shepparton and Tasmania, including undertaking the role as Board and Sub-Committee Chair.

Graduate Certificate In Management
Advanced Diploma of Management (Marketing)
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Art (Psychological and Sociology)
Australian Institute of Company Directors

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf joined Greater Bendigo City Council in 2016 representing the Whipstick Ward and was re-elected to a second term in 2020.

Cr Metcalf’s career has focused on customer service and disability support, first with Centrelink and then in financial planning supporting customers to navigate the Centrelink system. At Centrelink she held a range of leadership roles and worked with the organisation for 37 years.

In her role as a Councillor, Cr Metcalf sits on the board of Bendigo Heritage Attractions and Bendigo Stadium Ltd. She is also Chair of the Eaglehawk Table Tennis and Badminton Association, a member of the Epsom Ascot Huntly Flood Mitigation Committee and a member of Empowering Eaglehawk.

Andrew Cooney became CEO of the City of Greater Bendigo in December 2023.

He is a highly regarded executive who is passionate about community development and enjoys long, established relationships locally, regionally and at a state government level.

He first joined the City as Director Corporate Performance in 2018 and led the City’s involvement in the development of Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub.

He also served as Director Commonwealth Games and is well-versed in all areas of the organisation, with excellent skills in financial management, governance, advocacy and community engagement.

Prior to joining the City, Andrew’s previous roles include as an Executive Director with DELWP, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (now called DEECA, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action), General Manager Governance and Strategy at Coliban Water, Director Community and Corporate Services at Gannawarra Shire Council, and Manager Organisational Development at Loddon Shire Council.

He is currently on the Board of Goulburn-Murray Water and Bendigo Strikers Netball.

Now in his fifth term, Cr Hudson is the longest serving Councillor with the post-amalgamation City of Ballarat and served as Mayor in 2015-2016 and as Deputy Mayor in 2007, 2008 and 2014.

A long-serving member of Victoria Police, Cr Hudson is involved with a range of community organisations and is the recipient of the National Medal, National Police Service Medal, and Victoria Police Ethical Standards Medal.

Cr Hudson is married with two children.

Evan King commenced as the Chief Executive Officer at the City of Ballarat in February 2021.
Evan has spent the past two and a half years as CEO of Hepburn Shire, and has a Local Government career which includes executive roles at Pyrenees Shire Council as the Director of Corporate and Community Services and Hepburn Shire Council as the General Manager Corporate Services.

Prior to working in Local Government, Evan had an extensive career working in manufacturing and held senior management positions with Mars Wrigley and FMP (Bendix Mintex) as well as working within the social sector and notably working as the Business Manager for Salvation Army Western Victoria.

Evan has a Bachelor of Business from Federation University, is a qualified CPA and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Cr Sullivan is a young professional who has lived in the Greater Geelong region all of his life.

He is passionate about the local community and making sure Geelong is a place where everyone has the opportunity to live a happy and healthy life for years to come.

He is driven to help the region be the best that it can be. Geelong has a great opportunity for transformation over the coming years.

Ali is a purpose driven leader who holds degrees in Arts and Education, complemented by a Masters of Diplomacy and Trade. With a wealth of experience in executive roles within the Victorian Public Service and Local Government, she currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at the City of Greater Geelong, overseeing a workforce of over 2850 delivering more than 120 services to the community.

Ali is a seasoned Board Director in the not-for-profit, community, tourism, and health sectors, holding key positions such as Chair of Alpine Resorts Victoria and Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Additionally, she contributes as a Board Director for organizations like Bass Coast Country University, Destination Gippsland, and Destination Phillip Island.

Ali, an accredited executive coach and mediator, is dedicated to fostering high-performing teams and cultivating workplace cultures that are strategic, outcomes-focused, trusting, and enjoyable.  

Cr Gulline has called Longerenong home for 25 years. Originally from Queensland, she moved to the Wimmera after meeting her late husband Don.

As well as a prominent farmer in the region, she is an experienced teacher from pre-school and primary to TAFE and university levels.
The mother of three’s qualifications include a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Accounting, Diploma of Teaching – Primary-Preschool, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Governance of Registered Organisations.

She has served the Wimmera through involvement in organisations such as Wimmera Development Association, Regional Development Australia (Grampians) and Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership.

Cr Gulline is also an active member of the Victorian Farmers Federation and a strong contributor to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, local Landcare groups and Horsham Hockey Club.

Sunil has worked in Local Government for 24 years, including 12 years in senior management.  He was previously Director Infrastructure Services at the City of Maribyrnong, where he had finance and operational responsibility for over 120 permanent staff and the delivery of services and programs totalling $60 million.

Prior to this, Sunil worked at the Surf Coast Shire Council for more than 14 years in a range of management positions including General Manager Governance and Infrastructure, Director Corporate Services, Director Infrastructure and Infrastructure manager.  He was also with the Hume City Council for six years and the Shire of Bulla for over two years.

Councillor Darren Howe has served as a Councillor since October 2016. He was twice elected Deputy Mayor, firstly in November 2018 and again in November 2020.

Cr Howe has a significant history of community involvement, which commenced with the Apex Club of Traralgon in 2005. Over the seven years of his involvement, he held all major portfolios, and served as State President (12 months), as State Vice President (6 months), and 12 months as a Director on the National Board.

Furthermore, Cr Howe served as President and Vice President of the Traralgon Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee for many years. He remains an active member of both the Apex Club of Traralgon and the Traralgon Chamber of Commerce.

Cr Howe has over 20 years’ experience in management and finance in the retail, banking and power industry sectors. He has run the Seymour Street Newsagency in Traralgon for the past 27 years and currently acts as Director/Manager of this family business.

He has also held positions of Regional Chairman and a Board Director of the Victorian Association of Newsagents (VANA).

Cr Howe holds Diploma in Diploma of Retail Management.

In his spare time Cr Howe enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, as well as motorcycle riding.

Steven joined Latrobe City Council in 2014 as General Manager Community Infrastructure and Recreation. He was appointed CEO in December 2018. He has over 20 years’ experience in local government, including eight years at Bass Coast Shire Council, where he worked as Community and Economic Development Director and prior to that, Infrastructure Director.

Steven has a degree in Civil Engineering and graduate certificate in Business Administration.

Cr Liam Wood was born and bred in Mildura and grew up on the banks of Kings Billabong.

After graduating from the Red Cliffs High School, Cr Wood went on to study landscape architecture at RMIT University. He moved back to Mildura 13 years ago and now runs three businesses.

Cr Wood has a keen interest in events/tourism and the small business sector which he says are vital drivers for the local economy, and has dedicated significant resources and time into events and hospitality in Sunraysia for over a decade.

With over 20 years of local government experience Martin brings experience and expertise to the role of acting CEO for Mildura. While acting CEO Martin also performs the role of general manager and has strong connections within council and local government.

Dean was born and raised in Wangaratta to parents both in retail businesses before heading to Melbourne to study, and work in the Real Estate .
He returned home to Wangaratta in 1995 to be closer to family and friends and opened his first Real Estate office. Throughout his time away he always appreciated the closeness of a small community and what a country lifestyle had to offer.

After 20 successful years in Wangaratta, a fantastic marriage and two beautiful children he and his wife opened the Rees & Rees lifestyle store in 34 Ovens Street to expand on their property development business and lifestyle loves.

Elected to Council in 2016 and Mayor for the last 2 years, Dean’s priority and focus for the Rural City of Wangaratta has been on the economic development and growth of Wangaratta to ensure it continues progressing into a modern city.

Mr McGrath commenced as Chief Executive Officer of the Rural City of Wangaratta on 11 February 2014. Prior to this he had been Chief Executive Officer of Indigo Shire Council, a role he had held since February 2008.

Before starting with Indigo Shire, he was the General Manager of Community and Recreation with Mitchell Shire and had at different times acted as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Corporate Services.

Brendan has also worked in the private sector in the conference, accommodation and hospitality areas and has managed recreation facilities.
Mr McGrath is a board member and current vice-president of LGPro, the peak body for Local Government professionals in Victoria. He is also a board member with Tourism North East Victoria. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and is studying Business through the Australian Institute of Management.

Was elected to Warrnambool City Council in 2020. Elected Mayor of Warrnambool City Council on 23 October 2023.

Grew up on a dairy farm in Glenormiston, went to high school at Mercy Regional College Noorat and Camperdown. Graduated from Deakin University Warrnambool with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Public Relations and Sociology.

Worked in the wool industry starting around 14 years of age for a number of different companies. Opened a wool buying company (Ackroyd and Dadswell Mortlake) in 2012 with depots in Mortlake and Geelong.

Been involved and interested in local government especially in Warrnambool over the last decade with a keen interest in social housing and community infrastructure.

Current member of the Audit and Risk Committee at Warrnambool City Council, also a past member of the South West Victoria Livestock Exchange Advisory Committee and Harbour Reference Group. Current Volunteer at CFA.

Andrew Mason is the Chief Executive Officer of Warrnambool City Council.

Ron Mildren was elected to Wodonga City Council in 2016. He spent his youth growing up in Wodonga before completing a trade qualification followed by a Bachelor of Town and Regional Planning degree at the University of Melbourne. Ron has been employed in the construction industry and spent 18 years to Director level in Local Government, followed by operating a successful Economic Development and Project Planning consultancy from 2005 until recent retirement.

Matt Hyde commenced with Wodonga Council in July 2022, coming from the CEO role at Snowy Valleys Council in NSW. He has more than 25 years’ experience in local government with time spent in Queensland and NSW. He holds a Masters in Business Administration, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and served on the board of Local Government Professionals NSW.