LOCAL government, community and business leaders converged on Nhill this week for the Rural Councils Victoria Rural Summit.
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Aimed at inspiring rural councils, the event began on Wednesday with a dinner at Dimboola.
Formalities started on Thursday and will finish on Friday.
Yarriambiack Mayor Andrew McLean said people travelled to Nhill from throughout the state.
“Most rural councils are represented,” he said. “We’ve had a good variety of speakers.”
Cr McLean said former Luv-a-Duck chief executive John Millington spoke on Thursday about the Karen population in Nhill.
“We also listened to Saul Eslake about rural economics – it was almost too high-tech for some of us but it was good,” he said.
“We then had Frank Delahunty speak about investment in rural Victoria. He spoke about corporate farming and superannuation investment.”
Cr McLean said it was important for Yarriambiack councillors to attend the summit.
“We like to try to keep on top of what’s happening and find out things that could benefit us,” he said.
Friday's program includes presentations from Melbourne University associate professor Colin McLeod, Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government deputy director Melissa Gibbs and Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure deputy secretary Terry Garwood.
Hindmarsh chief executive Tony Doyle said accommodation in Nhill was fully booked.
Rural Councils Victoria chairman and Hindmarsh Mayor Rob Gersch said the summit was about supporting small rural communities in the endeavour for economic development.
The summit is an annual initiative by Rural Councils Victoria.