Committee for Ballarat's chief executive Melanie Robertson's vision for Ballarat will not change as she moves into a new role with Ballarat Health Services.
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Part of her vision is to not limit ourselves by our thinking - 'we have the ability to be anything we want to be, but we need to unite together, collaborate and support our leaders with a community of kindness'.
Ms Robertson will be farewelled at a Committee for Ballarat function on Thursday evening, ahead of her official last day as the organisation's chief executive on April 29.
On May 1 she will begin her new role as executive director for redevelopment and infrastructure with Ballarat Health Services, leading the Ballarat hospital's $460 million expansion.
We have the ability to be anything we want to be. A part of my vision is to not limit ourselves by our thinking.
- Melanie Robertson
She moves into the new role with a hope of leaving behind a legacy of raising the profile of Ballarat at a federal and state government level as an innovative and thriving regional city that has a unique identity.
Speaking to The Courier on Wednesday, Ms Robertson reflected on achievements during her past three years at Committee for Ballarat that has seen significant investment into rail and renewable energy, a new strategic plan for the committee and the establishment of strong relationships that recognise the committee as a respected voice.
"We fought really hard to ensure there was a regional connection in the airport rail link," she said.
"At one point it looked like we were still going to have to go into Southern Cross and come back out. We used our networks to make sure regional Victoria had direct access. Sunshine will be the regional hub and Geelong and Ballarat will come there to have direct access to airports.
"Renewable energy has been really significant. One of the major projects is the transmission line through Western Victoria. The Australian Energy Market Operator has now prioritised the upgrade of power infrastructure into Western Victoria. That allows a whole new platform of generation of renewable energy and allows us to capitalise on the economic benefits of the industry.
"Some of the more intangible achievements were increasing the profile of Ballarat and the region as a place for investment, innovation and for our lifestyle, and increasing the strength of our voice in the political sphere."
Despite significant achievements in her time as chief executive, Ms Robertson said Committee for Ballarat had much work to do to continue its role as a link between community voice and government.
"Reflecting on what Bob Geldof said in Ballarat last month, there is a real movement towards the peoples' voice, but people have got to step up into leadership and I think that is committee's role in really harnessing those voices, supporting them, putting it into a plan or a vision and advocating for that," she said.
"Hopefully I leave committee with a sense of confidence that we can control our destiny in Ballarat."
Committee for Ballarat is working to set up project teams focused on issues outlined in its strategic plan; liveability, connectivity, health and education and jobs and training.
Ms Robertson said these were areas where there was a need to continue to voice concerns and 'level the playing field' for living in regional and rural areas compared to major cities.
"What is Ballarat going to be in the future? What aspects of Ballarat are important to maintain and enhance when our population is at 200,000? We need to have those conversations right now and we need people to be aware of what that will mean.
"I would love to see increased collaboration, increased support of our leaders and a community of kindness. My vision is to be a community that supports people who are willing to step up and be a little bit more forgiving if we don't get things 100 per cent right all the time.
"I often think of the vision, the confidence, the boldness, the courage and foresight the people of Ballarat had in the 1800's. We need to continue that legacy and dream big about what we can achieve. We have been given tremendous foundations but we must build our city for tomorrow."