WIMMERA Development Association chief Jo Bourke will farewell a career that has taken her to almost every boardroom in the Wimmera and beyond on Friday.
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Mrs Bourke has worked to promote the region’s economic development since she started as a Shire of Dunmunkle councillor in 1986.
She has been Wimmera Development Association’s executive director since 2009.
The role has allowed her to work with councils, businesses, regional leaders and migrants to strengthen communities and foster development.
“What has stood out is the commitment of the people I've worked with to build the sustainability of the region,” she said.
“Being involved in some of the association’s programs, like Leadership Wimmera, has been such a positive activity, as well as working with young people to build their capacity to take on leadership roles in their communities.
“We have the Wimmera Settlement Program in place now, and I believe we’ve changed the culture of the region to be more accepting.
“There is a much greater awareness of the needs of migrants and refugees, and their value to our community.”
Mrs Bourke is also well-known for her work on the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline.
Her involvement stemmed from her roles as Wimmera Catchment Management Authority chairwoman and board member.
She led the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline project’s planning group from 2000 to 2005, which co-ordinated the pipeline’s business case and the project design.
She later became the project’s liaison officer from 2006 to 2009, and was honoured as one of 13 pipeline ambassadors for her work.
Mrs Bourke has continued her involvement with regional infrastructure through Wimmera Development Association.
She said the infrastructure area had provided some pivotal moments in her career.
“The federal government allocated us 19 new mobile phone towers earlier this year, and that was particularly satisfying given the towers will be serving agricultural areas and not major population centres, which has been the major criteria in the past,” she said.
“Working on things like the freight terminal at Dooen and with councils on strategic planning for their community infrastructure has also been satisfying.
“The advocacy around improving weather services in the region and the need for improved rail and road infrastructure for freight have also been important.”
Mrs Bourke said the Wimmera Development Assocaition role had given her a lot of satisfaction, but it was time to move on to other things.
“The job needs to be refreshed every now and then to get new ideas coming in,” she said.
“I am retiring to Rupanyup and I plan to write.
“Over the years I’ve had ideas about writing a couple of books and opinion pieces.
“Whether I start blogging or what I’ll do I'm not sure yet. I'm just interested in putting my thoughts down on a whole range of issues.”
Travelling is also on the agenda.
“I’ve bought a new motorbike and plan to ride around Australia early next year, and spend several months riding and following the weather,” she said.
Mrs Bourke reflected on her career with family, friends and colleagues at a retirement dinner on Friday night.
She thanked everyone she had worked with and her family for their support.
Horsham Rural City Council honoured Mrs Bourke with a letter under seal.
Council chief executive Peter Brown said she had worked tirelessly to promote the region.
“Jo has given 30 years of outstanding public service through senior management and honorary roles with regional organisations,” he said.
“She has displayed her great passion for rural Victoria and contributed a vast of skills in leadership, consultation, policy and project management to the ongoing development of the Wimmera and southern Mallee region.
“Jo is an exceptional role model.”
