The Committee for Echuca Moama has announced new leadership off the back of a successful year. Pictured is C4EM board chair Tim Ford.
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Following a year of strong growth and major wins, Committee for Echuca Moama has welcomed a local mental health champion as its new chief executive.
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Jayden Howe, formerly a community engagement officer and team leader at headspace Echuca, will formally step into the top role from the start of February.
C4EM board chair Tim Ford said the committee was thrilled to announce Mr Howe’s appointment, which was influenced by his strong community ties.
“He’s embedded in the Lockington footy club, he’s already spent some time in the community not-for-profit sector, and we’re excited to help him move to the next level of his career,” he said.
“With the experience that he’s got, connections that he has, his confidence to speak to anyone and everyone, we think it’ll bring that professionalism and community knowledge to our group.”
Jayden Howe brings strong community ties to the C4EM chief executive position. Photo: file.
Of his appointment, Mr Howe said he was incredibly excited to be joining the committee.
“‘This is a community I care deeply about, and I’m looking forward to working with members, stakeholders and partners to support a strong, connected and thriving Echuca Moama,” he said.
Mr Howe has also held teaching positions at St Joseph’s College Echuca and Kyabram P-12 College.
The hunt for a new chief executive was among the committee’s top priorities last year, along with raising its profile to grow enrolments.
A membership drive in November yielded eight sign-ups, while three fresh board members ― George Santos, Naomi Murray and Jane Reid ― also joined the committee late last year.
It will look to build on its growth with help from Mr Howe coming into the last financial quarter when business budgets are in the spotlight.
Sights will also turn to bolstering last year’s achievements by pushing stage one of the Echuca Moama Safe Towns Camera Project forward, and growing successful courses and events.
“In terms of major project focus, the CCTV project ― we really need to get that moving,” Mr Ford said.
“The next step is to develop the scoping document so we can go back to tender, because we have quotes from a number of years ago.”
The group’s International Women’s Day event is returning in March, marking one-year since the launch of its ‘A Snapshot in Time: 100 Extraordinary Women’ campaign.
Two Good to Great leadership courses, which are expected to attract 40 participants, are planned for early this year.
“That means that we can affect 40 people a year who, in turn, go back to their businesses and affect however many people,” Mr Ford said.
“Although it’s something that’s not quantifiable in terms of impact to local businesses, we're confident that it’s significant.”
While the committee’s bid to bring the Tri-State Games to the twin towns in 2028 and 2029 was unsuccessful last year, it will look to apply for the next round in partnership with Vivid.
The development of a co-working space is also under consideration, bringing local businesses, not-for-profits and entrepreneurs under one roof.
As board chair for around three months now, Mr Ford has already met with other C4 groups, and joined a video conference with Victorian Liberal Party leader Jess Wilson to discuss pressures on regional towns.
Having hit the ground running, Mr Ford is confident the committee can continue its momentum over the next 11 months.
“We've got a great board, we've got some good projects, we've got funding for some projects ... and now we've got the bloke that we think can drive it all together,” he said.
Anyone wishing to connect with Mr Howe can contact him via email at ceo@c4em.com.au or by phoning 0428 154 000.
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