Former independent Member for Indi, academic and rural consultant, Cathy McGowan AO, will deliver the 2020 George Briscoe Kerferd Oration in July in Beechworth.

Oration Chair, Karenne Thistleton, said she was delighted that Ms McGowan had agreed to deliver the Oration.

“In 2006, Cathy delivered a very successful Oration which showed that communities could enrich their communities through strong community engagement and participation. In 2020, she will consider ‘the Australia we want’, with a focus on the engagement of young people across Indigo Shire in the lead up to the Oration”.

Ms Thistleton said the organising committee will engage a project officer for three months in the lead up to the Oration, to develop a participatory governance model through which young people can actively engage in decision making about the things which matter to them most.

Expressions of interest for the project position are currently being received. Anyone interested in the position should contact Karenne Thistleton by email at kerferd.oration@gmail.com or by telephone on 0490 013 921 by COB Tuesday, 25 February 2020.

Kerferd Oration The George Briscoe Kerferd Oration was first held in 2003 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the naming of Beechworth. The annual Oration is a free community event sponsored by Indigo Shire Council, La Trobe University, WAW Credit Union and Quercus Beechworth.

The 2020 Kerferd Oration will be held on Sunday 26 July, 11.00am at The George Kerferd Hotel, Mayday Hills, Beechworth.