Description

Collective Energy: More than talk brings together First Nations knowledge holders, historians, industry leaders, practitioners and community voices to explore the Latrobe Valley's past, present and future. Through a series of conversations, presentations and provocations, the program examines how history, place and community can inform a shared vision for the region's next chapter.

What's On

The afternoon begins with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with Gunaikurnai Elder Aunty Michelle Dow inviting us to gather in respect and connection. Led by Traditional Custodians, this opening acknowledges the enduring custodianship of Country and sets the foundation for an afternoon of shared listening, learning and conversation.

Grounding the festival in Country, this conversation explores the enduring cultural, ecological and archaeological narratives that have shaped the Latrobe Valley over thousands of years. We consider how deep time perspectives, First Nations knowledge and the region's living landscapes can inform contemporary stewardship, strengthen our understanding of place and guide future care for Country.

From the Latrobe’s early settlement townships to Yallourn’s garden city ideals—and its eventual disappearance—this session examines how planning, industry and community have shaped the Latrobe Valley over time. It considers coal and power not only as economic drivers, but as forces that have influenced social history, settlement patterns, landscape, identity and collective memory.

- In-conversation with David Langmore, author + retired regional planner

This conversation considers how communities navigate regional transition by balancing environmental stewardship, economic transformation and social wellbeing. Reflecting on the importance of collaboration across First Nations communities, industry and government, this session explores centring local voices and embracing multiple ways of understanding place as we imagine the Valley’s next chapter.

- In-conversation with Dr. Jess Reeves, Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University Australia

What does the future of the Latrobe Valley look like through the eyes of its community? In this rapid-fire session, local voices respond to three simple questions: What do you love? What do you want to see? What is the first step we need to take? Together, these five-minute provocations offer a collective vision for the Valley's future.

- Arabella Atlavas—Youth Mayor, Latrobe City Council

- Nina Burke—Connector, Ideas Generator, Thinker and President, Great Latrobe Park

- PollyannaR—Interdisciplinary Artist, Community Arts Leader, Creative Strategist, Open Cut Collective

- Rebecca Selvarajah-Hutchinson—Community Wellbeing and Social Impact Consultant

- James Rouse—General Manager, Community Liveability

More speakers to be announced

In Collaboration With:

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  Open Cut Collective

  Discover the Open Cut Collective activation throughout the event, featuring interactive and audio-visual works that explore the Latrobe Valley's history and its ongoing transition to a post-coal future.
  
  The Gippsland-based Collective brings together established practitioners across fine art, photography, filmmaking, design, events and education, working at the intersection of mine rehabilitation, cultural regeneration and renewable energy transition. They are focused on generating renewal through creativity, and are working to embed arts and culture in the creative economies that will define the region’s post-mining identity

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  David Langmore

  David Langmore is a retired regional planner who has lived in the Latrobe Valley for about 50 years.  After some experience in teaching and personnel work, David worked for over 25 years in a range of senior regional strategic planning roles in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland, mostly with Victorian Government agencies. In 2013, he published a book entitled "Planning Power: The uses and abuses of power in the planning of the Latrobe Valley". The book outlines and analyses the fascinating history of planning and development in the Latrobe Valley from 1920 through to the early 1980's. Since his retirement, he continues to maintain a keen interest in many of the planning issues in the region.

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  Dr Jess Reeves

  Assoc Prof Jess Reeves is a place-based sustainability science researcher, in the Future Regions Research Centre of Federation University Australia, living and working on Gunaikurnai Country (Gippsland). With a background in geology, she researches the interplay between humans and their environment through time – including industrial pollution, long-term human modification of landscapes and future regional transition. 
   
  She works closely at the interface between policy, industry and community to ensure that local voices are represented in regional transformation. Her recent research projects include facilitating a post mine land use vision for the Latrobe Valley, supporting implementation for cumulative effects assessment on regions facing mine closure and social impact indicators for emerging industries, such as offshore wind.
   
  Jess holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Wollongong, both in Earth Sciences, and a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Cultural Competency from Charles Sturt University.