Hayley Purbrick - Chair
Echuca
Why you joined the Flourish Taskforce
Flourish drew my attention because it was an opportunity to work at a regional level, and meet some people who were also interested in food systems. It is a new conversation and that's what makes it exciting, as we get to be a part of shaping the future of the region. It is also a great excuse to go and see what is happening across our community. It's impressive!
A bit about you
My background is in marketing and sustainability and have lived and worked in the regions for most of my entire career. I am passionate about protecting nature, connecting people with their surroundings, and advocating for grass roots change. I live on some land outside of Echuca with my family (3 boys) and husband. We love the outdoors, travel and participating in community life. It's been a privilege to be involved in Flourish, and looking forward to the future.
Amy Brown
Greater Bendigo
Why you joined the Flourish Taskforce
I joined the Flourish Taskforce so I could make a difference to the community across Central Victoria. I lean on my knowledge of the local food system and leverage my knowledge of food and health research, and my connections to food system stakeholder groups to bring new opportunities to the region. In my downtime, I love playing with my two dogs, growing veggies in my backyard and adding to my chooks’ adventure playground.
A bit about you
I've lived in Bendigo for 25 years and spent much of that time working to support the local food system through roles in local government. I now work as the Strategic Programs Manager at Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation, supporting a diverse group of health researchers to work in partnership with government, industry and community so they can make real-world impact to health and wellbeing systems.
Relle Bickford
Greater Bendigo
Why you joined the Flourish Taskforce
I am a passionate foodie; I aspire to reconnect communities with local food systems that can promote healthier eating, support local economies, and protect the environment. The Flourish Taskforce can play a vital role in engaging councils and communities to make local, sustainable, and accessible food a priority, fostering a stronger, more resilient food culture.
A bit about you
I come from a background in farming in dairy and merino, disease prevention, research and hospitality. I am a Public Health Nutritionist, Researcher in Food Literacy, founder of Plate it Up Food Literacy, and a qualified chef.
Rhonda McTaggart
Korong Vale, Loddon Shire
Why you joined the Flourish Taskforce
Being a keen backyard food producer for many years and am acutely aware of the gaps and shortfalls in our current food delivery system, I was excited to read in the local newspaper of an organisation called Flourish, that shared my concerns and interests and were looking for volunteer folk to join the taskforce. This was a great way to meet and engage with other like-minded folk as well as do some work towards improving the health of the current food system for a better future.
A bit about you
Having worked 35 years as an Arts educator and strong advocate for growing local food, since discovering in 1985, that you can’t buy the kind of tasty, fresh produce that was grown on my grandmother's farm throughout her life. This began an urgent need to grow a food forest, full of vegetables, fruit and wildlife. I am now volunteering in our small country town along with my husband on the Community Planning Committee preparing to develop an edible community garden. Being creative and finding ways to solve problems is a strong feature of my life, my husband’s, son, step-daughter and two granddaughters.
Josie McKinnon
North Central Victoria
Why you joined the Flourish Taskforce
I am excited to be a part of Flourish because it represents an opportunity to influence bringing people and fresh, local produce closer together and because healthy, happy communities is what I care about. Flourish is made up of local people intersecting with local food systems at all different points. Connecting with like minds to contribute to a more resilient food system that works for the many rather than the few and which shows a deep respect for food is a hugely fulfilling journey to be on.
A bit about you
I had the great privilege of growing up on farm in North Country Victoria and remain very connected to farming life and the people who keep us all fed. I spent a decade working as a professional chef in Tasmania and continue to connect with and learn from the incredible examples and standards set by growers, chefs, restauranteurs, consumers, researchers and educators there. I’m also deeply passionate about supporting communities to be safe, fair and thriving and after some further study and volunteering, I now work in community development. My favourite part of this work is getting to see the warmth and care people pour into their communities and trying to connect them with the tools and resources they need to achieve the things that matter to them.
Natalia Smith
Bendigo
Why you joined the Flourish Taskforce
I joined Florish to contribute and learn about our Food Systems environment. I wanted to bring a lens of community health and the work we undertake to this group with an aim to add value.
A bit about you
I am an experienced health promotion practitioner and health promotion leader. I have experience in areas such as needs analysis, planning and implementing programs and developing networking and stakeholder relationships to name a few. I am dedicated to advocate for enhancing health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly for the most marginalised of our rural and regional communities. I am currently working at Bendigo Community Health Services, as the Senior Leader, Integrated Health Promotion which has a large focus on increasing healthy eating in our community and priority populations. I am also a member of the AHPA VIC/TAS Executive Branch Committee.
