Although council was announced as a successful grant recipient in February 2024, it did not publicly mention the program until mid-May 2024.
The grant, aimed at preventing family violence through community engagement and staff-focused training, officially began in March 2024, but a dedicated officer wasn’t appointed until “early 2025”.
Despite the lag, both the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and council say there have been no delays in project delivery, with existing staff said to have managed interim progress.
Lisa Lymbery is now leading the initiative as the social equity project co-ordinator. Currently pursuing a PhD on women’s health and leisure in regional Victoria, she will oversee a mix of staff training, policy updates and external outreach, including public education and community partnerships.
“I have a combined 30-plus years of experience, including postgraduate social equity and inclusion, have facilitated sports club gender equality programs for Melbourne metro local government area councils, and successfully developed and implemented community gender and broader inclusion strategies,” she said.
Council has highlighted the 2024 16 Days of Activism campaign, delivered in partnership with more than 20 organisations, as a key initiative under the program.
However, beyond this campaign, few details have been publicly shared about program activities to date. Council says further initiatives are planned through to 2027.
