Healthy Loddon Campaspe hosted our 2024 Regional Workshop on Thursday 14 November in Bendigo.
In line with the recent launch of the Flourish Regional Food System Framework, the theme of this year’s workshop was ‘shaping a vibrant and sustainable regional food system’, and attendees heard from some amazing presenters on a variety of topics.
To commence the day, Troy Firebrace from DJAARA provided a Welcome to Country.
Attendees then heard from Dr Bridie O’Donnell who spoke about the priorities of the Victorian Department of Health and how healthy, thriving food systems are so important in this context.
Vanessa Clarkson from Foodways Consulting and Tara Behen from Foodprint Melbourne hosted engaging workshops on the development of the HLC Flourish Food System Framework, and planning for resilient food systems.
A panel discussion featuring speakers from Healthy Loddon Campaspe, Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit, City of Gastronomy, Central Goldfields Shire, and City of Greater Bendigo, focused on the food system work in practice in our region.
Katie Finlay from Harcourt Organic Farming Co-Op and Ira Barker from Murnong Mummas provided an insightful case study into the ways they’re supporting DJAARA leadership on Country, respectfully working with Traditional Owners and adopting practices to heal Country.
And we rounded out the day with a great presentation from Paul West from Grow It Local about how growing food at home can have an amazing impact on our overall health and wellbeing, as well as that of the planet.
Thank you to our speakers, and to all who attended the workshop. We’re full of excitement to see the positive impact of all the wonderful work happening in our regional food system.
