WHY SEGRA ? WHY NOW ?
Caroline Robinson
SEGRA celebrates 27 years in 2023 and like many not for profit organisations it is navigating a multitude of technological , economic , political , cultural , and social changes . Throughout our strong history , SEGRA has evolved to ensure it remains relevant and to continually advance the long-term interests of regional Australia .
Today the four Foundation Directors , who are living and working across the country are refining the SEGRA value proposition . We are building upon our strengths and positioning ourselves to continue to serve rural , remote and regional Australia in a positive and meaningful way .
Our values of being inclusive , evidence based , bi-partisan and solutions focused continue to be at our core . The reason we exist , our purpose , is to voice , connect , advocate for and advance the long-term interests of regional Australia .
This year the SEGRA Foundation presents the National Regional and Economic Development Summit in Toowoomba , QLD . We transition our annual Conference to a national Summit with a greater focus and allocation of time towards attendees actively solving challenges and problem statements across rural , remote and regional Australia through professionally facilitated sessions .
The Foundation Directors would like attendees to the Summit to think deeply about regional Australia . We will formulate a pre-Summit survey seeking attendees input to help guide the program and we believe it will be an opportunity to listen to different perspectives and work collaboratively across geographical boundaries .
A benefit of attending any SEGRA event is the prospect of learning new concepts and how other communities have approached regional and economic development . The main reason I said yes to joining the Foundation was to learn from others so I could translate their work to my rural community in Western Australia .
A strength of the Foundation and where we see our unique position is that we connect and work with the ‘ doers ’ of rural , remote and regional Australia . We call them the ‘ SEGRA Family ’. We believe they hold the solutions to regional growth inhibitors .
VOL 16 NO 1 2023 30 www . edaustralia . com . au