Building our Community in Euroa

The Abound Communities Currie Park Christmas Party in Euroa was extra special this year.

With the President of the Euroa Rotary Club, members of Strathbogie Council, Michael Tehan, and other special guests joining us, there were lots of great discussions about how Abound Communities could excel in the community. The afternoon consisted of conversations around important conversations and also allowing all of us to enjoy the Christmas festivities.

Thank you to our Currie Park residents and staff for always being welcoming.

Guest List and available bio's are listed below for your viewing:

Robert Irving (Bob) – President of Euroa Rotary Club

I am currently President of Euroa Rotary; having previously spent time also on the Board with the Youth and Vocation portfolios, Happy Healthy Kids. Also a founder and committee member of Community Learning Euroa, a recently established (2021) adult learning not for profit to provide services in and for Euroa and the Strathbogie Shire. A member of the local (ECDRA) rifle club with very little time to practice.

Moved to Euroa in 2016 after our South Australian property was burnt out in 2015. Married, 4 adult sons and

A founder member of a small technology and consulting company (nanotechnology/diagnostics), Quintain Consulting, we currently have, for example, projects on turning biomass into biofuel and beverages. Seaweed or whey from cheesemaking into gin. We have recently finished construction of the distillery in Scotland and are currently evaluating the product (October 2022).

I have a PhD from London (1977) for projects on the molecular mechanisms of steroids and their role in human prostate cancer. Then spent 10 years in Canada in Universities and government departments researching animal and human viruses, therapeutic and diagnostic reagents and the first methods and machines for manipulating genes.

From 1986 to 2004 at the CSIRO-Parkville-Melbourne and the CRC for diagnostics to develop recombinant antibodies and synthetic immune systems for a range of viral and cancerous diseases through understanding viral molecular evolution processes.

Then at Nanotechnology Victoria (2004-2009) to work with its member universities, Monash, Melbourne and Swinburne to further the research and develop/ commercialise nanotechnology advances across a broad range of areas. In 2009 Quintain Consulting was established, see above with offices in Melbourne.

Marg Maconachie – Euroa Library Coordinator

Mayor Cr Laura Binks – Strathbogie Council

Councillor Laura Binks put up her hand for the 2020 Strathbogie Shire Council election because she wanted to “bring a vibrant voice to the table”.

Cr Binks brings broad experience to the role: a graduate of architecture; hands-on professional in building design and construction; artist; environmentalist; small-scale farmer; long-time volunteer; and committed listener and communicator.

Cr Binks grew up on the family farm on Harry’s Creeks Road at the foothills of the Strathbogie Ranges.

A member of the Save Our Strathbogie Forest, the Strathbogie community’s arts group, Bogarts, and graduate of the 2020 Fairley Leadership Program, and Small Giants Academy Mastery of Business and Empathy, Cr Binks excels in leadership roles.

This was recognised when she was voted as Mayor by her fellow Councillors at the 2021 Mayoral Election.

“If people ask me what I’d like to achieve by the end of my term, my answer is: ‘A productive and prosperous working relationship between the community and council.”

Cr Paul Murray (Deputy Mayor) – Strathbogie Council

Councillor Paul Murray’s involvement in local education as a leading teacher at Euroa Secondary College spanned over 35 years.

As a result, Cr Murray developed a huge passion for the community and the local Strathbogie Shire youth. Both interests, as well as Cr Murray’s tenure working for local newspaper The Euroa Gazette as a reporter, were the catalysts for his decision to stand for Council.

In addition, Cr Murray continues to be involved in many grassroots clubs and groups within the community.

Elected to Council in 2020, Cr Murray took on the role of Deputy Mayor at the 2021 Mayoral Election.

Cr Murray lives in Longwood and is married with three adult children and two grandchildren.

Cr Chris Raeburn – Strathbogie Council

In a Strathbogie Council full of fresh faces, Cr Chris Raeburn, provides a welcome balance to the chambers through his wealth of experience. A former Mayor of the City of Port Melbourne (now City of Port Phillip) in 1990-91 and 1991- 92, Cr Raeburn prides himself on engaging with and empowering the community for which he tirelessly works.

Cr Raeburn is the only returning Councillor for the new term, after winning a by-election following the retirement of a sitting Councillor in 2019.

Cr Raeburn has quickly become a favourite in his hometown of Violet Town, since he relocated there with his partner, Becc. He has immersed himself in community life through involvements with the Violet Town Football Netball Club and the Violet Town Action Group.

Cr Raeburn has previously held the role of Mayor at Strathbogie Council, elected at the Statutory meeting on Tuesday, 17 November, 2020.

In his professional life, Cr Raeburn boasts an extensive background within the Victorian railway industry, where he started as a casual labourer and worked his way to numerous senior positions.

He has also worked at the Moama RSL, with people living with a disability and, as a teacher’s aide at a special school in Echuca. He also has extensive experience in hospitality and retail around Australia, and, as a gardener and caretaker on cattle-stations.

Cr Reg Dickinson – Strathbogie Council

An opportunity to promote men’s health while working to protect the local environment are key drivers behind Cr Reg Dickinson’s decision to nominate for Strathbogie Council in 2020.

The first-time Councillor said his decision to run was “now or never”, one he hopes will fulfill a growing desire to take a stand on local issues, in particular men’s health.

Another catalyst for Cr Dickinson was a need to be more active in his community. Outside of working for his community, Cr Dickinson enjoys many social outlets, including the odd spot of lawn bowls.

Involved with the Nagambie Bowls Club, the RSL, the local ‘tow ‘n’ yarn’ club (caravan club) and the senior citizens’ club, Cr Dickinson considers himself to be “very community minded”.

By writing a regular article in the Nagambie Community Voice and setting aside two hours each week for a meet and greet session, Cr Dickinson hopes to improve on open communication with residents, something he says “is really needed”.

Cr David Andrews – Strathbogie Council

Strathbogie Shire Cr David Andrews light-heartedly likened his first Council meeting to his “Steve Bradbury moment”.

On September 21, Cr Andrews took the Oath of Office to represent the Lake Nagambie Ward after the resignation of former Nagambie Lakes ward councillor Melanie Likos resulted in his eligibility on a countback by the Victorian Electoral Commission.

Cr Andrews is invested in ensuring residents’ rates are well spent, improving everyday life for residents, and attracting visitors to the Shire.

“I am not an activist, I don’t have an agenda − I am an advocate for the whole Shire,” he said.

He and his wife Suzan are medal-winning masters rowers who moved to Nagambie in 2017 following Cr Andrews’ retirement from a 36-year career with Victoria Police in metropolitan Melbourne.

As well as operational policing, Cr Andrews spent a lot of his career as a trainer at the Victorian Police Academy.

Since being in Nagambie, he has spent time “pulling beers at the pub” and as a Gamblers Help trainer, teaching responsible gambling service to bar staff in gambling venues within the region.

Cr Andrews, now retired, has also been a regular contributor to Go Nagambie’s Community Voice, writing gardening and cooking columns and rowing articles.

Cr Kristy Hourigan – Strathbogie Council

When Kristy Hourigan and her young family pulled into Euroa on an Australian-wide road trip in 2017, an unexpected future was sealed. They found a rundown caravan park with bad reviews in one of the most picturesque spots in town; and saw its potential. When they discovered it was listed for sale, the decision was easy to leave behind their Frankston home.

Kristy and partner Warrick set about breathing new life into the tired park, nestled alongside Sevens Creek at the foothills of the Strathbogie Ranges. They did not foresee that within four years the park’s patronage would be tripled, nor that Kristy would be elected as one of the two Seven Creeks Ward Councillors in 2020.

She wants to see continued progress and development throughout the rest of the shire also, which will be underpinned by “adequate planning with developers”. As a former adult trainer and assessor in the areas of human resources, management, business and retail, Cr Hourigan has a varied skill base which she believes stands her in good stead for the huge learning curve of Local Government.

While settling into her council role during the upheaval of COVID-19, Cr Hourigan is increasingly inspired by her community.

Cr Sally-Hayes Burke – Strathbogie Council

As the mother of two young children, Sally Hayes-Burke could have chosen to lay low during the 2020 council elections. But, despite the sleep-deprived existence of early parenthood, the qualified lawyer felt compelled to throw her hat into the ring of local government.

Cr Hayes-Burke grew up in Euroa and Longwood before living in Shepparton throughout high school. She completed her arts degree at Melbourne University and undertook her postgraduate studies in law while working for seven years as assistant to the vice-chancellor.

At 34, Cr Hayes-Burke is the youngest member of the shire’s new-look council. She has ticked off her goals of establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Taungurung people and advocating for climate action.

Often seen cycling in the township of Euroa, her vision is to improve the connectivity between the shire’s towns and create infrastructure which encourages residents to keep active by walking and riding.

Michael Tehan – Tehan, George & Co.

Michael’s professional experiences include Local Government, Commercial Contracts, Local Laws, Land Acquisition, Rating and Valuation of Land, Planning and Environment Law, Mediation, Conveyancing, Probate, Wills, Estate Planning and Leases.

He has extensive experience in audit, regional development, strategic planning, community networking and development, tourism and hospitality and tertiary education and training.

He is the Board Chair of Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, a former Local Government Commissioner and former Chairman of Nagambie Lakes Authority, He is a member of the GVFL Independent Tribunal and Chair of the GVFL Audit Committee. He is a past President of the Rotary Club of Euroa and has serves as a chair and member of many committees in Rotary International District 9790.

Michael is a past Board Member of the Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre and past Chair of the Strathbogie Shire Council Audit Committee.