Seasons Greetings: SECCCA’s End of Year Newsletter
Message from the CEO…
In this final newsletter of the year, I’d like to wish SECCCA’s members and supporters a Merry Christmas, and a restful and rejuvenating holiday season.
Much has been achieved in the climate change space in our country and state throughout 2022. A clearer path for real action is forming and to all those who have been involved, I want to pass on my congratulations.
The task is of course not complete, and on this basis I look forward to working with my colleagues on this objective when we return in 2023.
Before the SECCCA team signs off for 2022 I would like to share an exciting announcement: SECCCA has returned Cr Michael Whelan as Chair of the Councillor Advisory Group, to lead SECCCA through a second year. He is joined by Cr Claire Harvey who will support him in his continuing leadership task.
The SECCCA office will be closed from Friday December 23 (COB) and will re-open on Tuesday January 3. Until then, stay safe over the holiday season, I look forward to an exciting year of climate action ahead.
Dominique La Fontaine
Chief Executive Officer
Cr Michael Whelan Returned as Councillor Advisory Group Chair
At the last South East Councils Climate Change (SECCCA) Council Advisory Meeting for 2022, Cr Michael Whelan, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire was returned as Chair of the group, providing consistent leadership for the 2023 year.
Cr Claire Harvey from the City of Frankston was also elected as Deputy Chair for the 2023 year.
Cr Whelan said: “it is an honour to be re-elected by my peers in this important forum, the issue of addressing climate change in the SECCCA region is fundamental to ensure our communities continue to thrive.”
“SECCCA will continue the important work of advocating for action and investment into our shared communities and working with our members to put plans in place to deal with the impacts of climate that we are already experiencing in our council areas,” he said.
SECCCA CEO Dominique La Fontaine congratulated Cr Whelan and Cr Harvey on their election and said she looked forward to working in partnership throughout 2023 to continue to provide leadership on climate changes issues in the region.