Moving inland: Regional migration during COVID and beyond

This event is sponsored by the School of Humanities and Social Science and the Centre for the Study of the Inland

This panel presents perspectives from planners, local government, and economics to explore benefits and tensions for communities managing the influx of new migrants. While we look closely at the Albury-Wodonga region, the discussion will have relevance for all regions wondering what lies ahead as their populations change.

Speakers

Dr Kim Houghton, Chief Economist at the Regional Australia Institute

Kim manages the Institute’s policy and research portfolio to ensure that the work has practical application and supports a better policy environment and more vibrant regional economies.

Kim has played a leading role in recent research on population mobility in regional Australia, analysis of regional labour and housing markets, and the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on regional economies.

Associate Professor Julie Rudner, Campus Director of La Trobe University (Bendigo)

Julie was previously the Course Convenor for the Community Planning and Development Program, through which she supported active citizenship via community-based projects in research, consulting and teaching.

Julie’s work explores interactions between policy, place and people, with a particular focus on how children, young people and people from different ethno-cultural and religious backgrounds use, view and experience their environments.

Before her academic career, Julie worked in the planning department of the City of Albury for 6 years.

Mark Dixon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wodonga Council

Prior to his appointment Mark was the CEO and Managing Director of Wodonga Institute of TAFE for a period of four years. During his tenure at the TAFE, it grew to be the most successful regional TAFE in Australia winning both the Victorian and Australian Large Training Provider of the Year awards in 2018 and the Defence Industry Academic Institution of the Year award in 2019.

Before entering his civilian career, Mark was a military officer for more than 30 years in both the British and Australian armies.

Mark continues his association with the Defence as an Honorary Colonel for the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps and is also a member of the Ovens Murray Regional Partnership, supporting Regional Development Victoria.

Frank Zaknich, Chief Executive Officer, AlburyCity

Frank joined AlburyCity in March 2013 from Broken Hill City Council where he had been General Manager since 2006. Frank’s career has included senior positions in rural and metropolitan councils across NSW and South Australia and he is highly experienced in community governance, change management and strategic and regional planning.

Frank’s appointment to AlburyCity sees him lead one of Australia’s top twenty cities in what is a growing, vibrant and strategically located Albury Wodonga region.

In his spare time Frank enjoys music “time out" playing drums and percussion and has recently “got the band back together“.

_{The event will be moderated by Professor Katie Holmes, Director of La Trobe University’s Centre for the Study of the Inland}