Want to help shape Melbourne?
23 April 2020 at 7:15 am
Expression of interest for new external assessment panel now open
Every year, City of Melbourne invests $7 million across 10 different programs with the aim of making Melbourne a better place for everyone who lives, works and visits the city.
City of Melbourne offers a wide range of grants and sponsorships to individuals, community organisations and businesses in the community, arts, recreation and business sectors.
External assessment panel members play an important role in making these grants successful and bring transparency to the process.
They review, assess and provide objective, independent recommendations to Council in relation to funding for grants programs. Panel members ensure that guidelines and assessment criteria endorsed by Council have been applied consistently and equitably for all applications.
City of Melbourne is calling for new panel members and welcome expressions of interest from people from all walks of life. Applicants that reflect creativity, inclusion, sustainability, knowledge and economic prosperity are encouraged to apply. Expressions of interest from Aboriginal, young people and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are especially welcome.
Janet Liu was an external assessor for City of Melbourne from 2016 to 2020. Currently manager of financial inclusion and community engagement for ANZ, Janet was initially inspired to apply for the role because of her ongoing connection with Melbourne.
“I have worked or lived in City of Melbourne for more than 10 years and spend at least 50 hours a week in the municipality. The opportunity to provide a regular citizen’s view to help decide which community projects to support was very appealing,” she said.
Janet’s background in business, community engagement and social media made her a good prospective panel member. However, Janet said she received as much as she contributed.
“My eyes were opened to the stunning richness of community activities,” she said.
Janet participated in the Connected Communities and Social Innovation Partnerships grants assessment.
“The assessors came from different industries, ages, cultural backgrounds and experiences and I learnt a lot from each of the panel members and the way they saw the world,” Janet said.
“I particularly enjoyed when the room was divided on whether to support a grant or not; you really have to think deeply about what makes a project worthwhile.”
When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking of applying, Janet said: “Go for it – not only will you learn so much through the process, it will make you fall in love with Melbourne all over again!”
The opportunity to join City of Melbourne’s external assessors only comes around every four years.
Individuals interested to join a panel can send in an online application, nominating which panel(s) they are interested to serve on. Successful applicants are part of a pool and can be approached to serve on specific panels from 2020 to 2024.
Expression of interest for new external panel members for 2020 to 2024 is now open and will close Monday 11 May at 5pm (EST). To apply or find out more please visit the City of Melbourne website.
