FOODIE pioneer Tim Matthews is stepping up to lead a community voice in taking the region's key issues direct to the state government.
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Mr Matthews has been appointed Central Highlands Regional Partnership chairman, a mantle he takes up from technology guru and long-time community champion George Fong.
For Mr Matthews, a founding community member on the partnership board, the opportunity was "like standing on the shoulders of giants". He was determined to build on the strong foundations Mr Fong had made as chairman to spark change.
"To start it's about really re-setting some of the challenges that have been there a little while but looking through the lens of COVID and what has changed," Mr Matthews said.
"...It's looking again at those priorities that have come up in the past and giving them the right attention. Some things have changed and some have remained the same but we need to dig deep in the issues.
"Significant royal commissions have an effect on Ballarat. I'm not an expert, but it's about listening to the community."
To start it's about really re-setting some of the challenges that have been there a little while but looking through the lens of COVID and what has changed.
- Tim Matthews, Central Highlands Regional Partnership chairman
The Victorian government established regional partnerships in 2016 across the state to better understand community needs.
Mr Fong resigned at the end of his four-year tenure, saying it was time for new, diverse members across the Central Highlands partnership's six local government areas to be brave in taking what really matters to the state.
He felt there had been a significant shift in how government ministers addressed regions and were more open to listening to regional voices.
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Mr Matthews is best known as a co-founder of The Forge Pizzeria, which played a major role in shaping Armstrong Street as a foodie destination.
As The Forge continues branching into complementary food and hospitality ventures, Mr Matthews also serves on the Ballarat Regional Tourism board and The Courier's advisory board. He is a former chairman for Ballarat Business Centre.
Key tourism and agriculture advocate Jennifer Ganske, also a founding partnerships member, will serve as Mr Matthews' deputy.
Fellow community members include Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative chief Karen Heap, Youthlaw lawyer Sophie Ellis, Child and Family Services chief Wendy Sturgess, Ballarat Trades and Labour Council secretary Brett Edgington and Ballarat Community Health strategy executive Darlene Henning-Marshall.
All six local government chiefs from Ararat, Ballarat, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool and Pyrenees are also represented on the board.
"It's really humbling to be given the opportunity to step into this role, considering the expertise in the partnership," Mr Matthews said. "It really is a community voice with a direct line to decision making."
The board will resume quarterly meetings later this month.
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