Dione (Dee) Healey has just begun her new role as Shepparton FoodShare’s executive officer.
Ms Healey said it was a “true privilege” to be chosen.
“I’m thrilled at the appointment at this role, to be able to lead such a community-based organisation,” she said.
“We have these beautiful new premises in Mooroopna, led by a wonderful team.
“(I’m) really looking forward to being able to lead this organisation through this next transition period and growth.”
Born and raised in Greater Shepparton, Ms Healey has 20 years’ experience working in leadership roles within the not-profit-sector.
She said there was a “growing demand” for food security, with cost-of-living pressures across the whole community.
When the position at FoodShare came up, she thought it was a “wonderful opportunity” to “combine my skills and experience”.
“My career has been working predominantly in the homelessness and housing field,” Ms Healey said.
“Those cost-of-living pressures ... people prioritise. Paying their rent, then their food comes last.
“Food security is an issue that I’ve seen across my career, but predominantly over the last five years.
“(FoodShare) is meeting that critical need and doing really purposeful work to support the community.”
Ms Healey said the state government’s budget announcement allocating about $18 million to the regional food share agency was “very welcomed”.
“(The Shepparton) allocation is still to be determined. The alliance is still working out the model for how we allocate fairly across those six FoodShares across regional Victoria,” she said.
“It’s at a perfect time because (of) ... the new warehouse.
“As wonderful as it is, there’ll be additional costs to run that.
“(We) welcome that additional money, and thank everybody that was involved in getting that across the line.”
As for what Ms Healey will be doing on a day-to-day basis, it’s delivering a strategic plan developed and finalised by Shepparton FoodShare’s board, and “making sure that FoodShare is a sustainable organisation”.
Along with that, Ms Healey said she’d be “getting to know the team”, the “wonderful volunteers”, and supporters.
“There’s so many on the floor out there in the warehouse just doing wonderful work, and getting the food out to people that need it,” she said.
Ms Healey said one of the things that attracted her to the position in the first place was the “commitment, hard work and generosity of individuals across the Goulburn Valley” getting the organisation to where it was today.
“It’s an amazing opportunity ... sadly, the other side of it is that the need (for food security) keeps rising, and this is a critical service for the community,” she said.
“Thanks to everybody who has supported FoodShare, and for the board for their appointment.
“I'm really looking forward to leading this incredible organisation.”
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