Christine Nixon to deliver this year’s Kerferd Oration

Christine Nixon, the head of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction & Recovery Authority, will deliver the Kerferd Oration this year in Beechworth.

Ms Nixon’s oration, entitled “Revealing the hidden strengths and talents of communities”, will be delivered at the Kerferd Conference Centre at La Trobe Beechworth on Sunday July 25.

Indigo Mayor Cr Bernard Gaffney said Ms Nixon was the perfect choice for this year’s Orator.

“As Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority she would have many insights into the hidden strengths and talents of the communities she has visited that have been devastated by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfire,” Cr Gaffney said.

“This is not her first visit to our shire – she came to Stanley last November to talk to people who had been affected by the February 7 bushfire and get their feedback on the recovery process.

“We are delighted she has agreed to be this year’s Orator and we look forward to her insights on the strengths of communities.”

Under Ms Nixon’s leadership, the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction & Recovery Authority is working with communities, businesses, charities, local councils and other government departments to help people rebuild after the Black Saturday bushfire that claimed the lives of 173 people and destroyed communities. Her focus is on helping communities recover and rebuild in a way that is safe, timely, efficient, cost effective and respectful of each community’s different needs.

Before joining the authority, Ms Nixon was the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police leading 14,000 staff across more than 500 sites.

As in the past, this year’s Kerferd Oration is a free community event supported by WAW Credit Union, La Trobe Beechworth and Indigo Shire Council. It starts at 11am in the Kerferd Conference Centre at La Trobe Beechworth on Sunday 25 July. Tickets are not required.

Last year more than 500 people came to hear World Vision Australia CEO Rev Tim Costello AO talk about Community Values for a World in Need. Other past Orators include Professor Tim Flannery, then Deputy Premier John Thwaites, Cathy McGowan AO, Prof Henry Brodaty AO, Barbara Holborow OAM and the late John Harber Phillips AC.

The annual Kerferd Oration is named after one of the founding fathers of Beechworth, George Briscoe Kerferd, whose illustrious career in public office culminated in his elevation to the office of Victorian Premier in 1874.