Country Universities Centre
Angela Williams lives in the Moyne Shire and has been delivering the Local Jobs Program for the South Coast since it began in October 2021. With a diverse background spanning employment services, not-for-profits, governance and private enterprise, she brings deep experience in supporting communities and strengthening local workforce outcomes.
Having lived and worked in the South Coast Region for more than 30 years, Angela has a strong understanding of the are and works with others to turn good ideas into initiatives that genuinely improved outcomes across the region. Angela is Deputy Chair of Leadership Great South Coast and volunteers on the Consumer Committee as St John of God Hospital. Well connected and actively involved in local community life, she is committed to contributing to positive and inclusive regional development.
Jen is a qualified Careers Practitioner with a deep commitment to strengthening employment pathways across the South Coast of Victoria. Born and raised in Warrnambool, she brings a strong local connection and a clear understanding of the region’s opportunities, workforce needs and community priorities. Her career has spanned roles in training, workforce development, recruitment, industry engagement and community liaison — each reinforcing her passion for creating practical, place based initiatives that deliver real outcomes for local people and businesses.
Jen has extensive experience within the Vocational Education and Training / TAFE Sector when she designed employment focused training programs, supported skills recognition pathways and managed key employment services contracts. This work strengthened her expertise in aligning training with industry needs and supporting learners into meaningful employment.
Her insights are informed by experience across commercial recruitment, business development and the employment services and skills recognition space, as well as recruitment for a major regional employer. Jen excels at building strong relationships, identifying opportunities and managing collaborative projects that support both workforce needs and community aspirations. She remains dedicated to improving employment outcomes and supporting sustainable growth across the South Coast region.
Chris Bellman is the Site Manager at are-able Warrnambool, where he leads a dedicated team committed to delivering high quality, person centred employment services. With extensive experience across are able’s programs, Chris is focused on creating a supportive environment for both staff and participants, ensuring services are delivered with integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
His role involves guiding teams through performance goals, fostering collaborative practice, and ensuring safe, ethical responses to the diverse needs of jobseekers. Chris is passionate about upholding are able’s values by promoting inclusive opportunities, strengthening community partnerships, and driving positive outcomes for participants.
Known for his approachable leadership style and solutions focused mindset, Chris works to empower his team and contribute to a workplace culture built on respect, professionalism, and genuine care for the people are able supports. He is proud to play a role in helping individuals build confidence, independence, and long term employment pathways.
Liz is an experienced executive leader with a strong background in the not-for-profit sector, having held senior roles in Melbourne including Deputy CEO of Melbourne City Mission (MCM), Leadership Victoria and CEO of St John of God ACCORD. Her leadership career spans Australian Disability Enterprises, Disability Employment Services, alternative education, and a broad range of community programs, where she has consistently delivered impactful outcomes for diverse and vulnerable communities.
Three years ago, Liz relocated to regional Victoria and has since become deeply embedded in the Colac and broader Southwest region, developing strong networks and a grounded understanding of local priorities, challenges, and opportunities.
Liz currently serves as Programs Coordinator at Community Hub Inc. in Colac, overseeing community programs and Learn Local adult education initiatives tailored to regional needs. She also works as the Colac Community Facilitator for FRRR’s Investing in Rural and Regional Futures program, supporting community capacity building and long term local development.
With her blend of metropolitan and regional leadership experience, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and a commitment to youth retention and regional workforce pathways, Liz brings valuable insight, connections and collaborative experience to the Jobs and Skills Taskforce.
Matt began his journey in Employment Services in 2006 and has a strong knowledge of how Commonwealth and State Employment Services operate. Matt has held Senior Management positions within Jobs Services Australia, now formally known as Workforce Australia, managing Metropolitan regions and Regional regions as a part of his portfolio.
Matt then worked as the National Program Manager for Bounce Australia for 7 years, working closely with executives, management, staff and jobseekers within JobActive and Disability Services. Matt managed a wide variety of Partners and over 30 Life Coaches who delivered behavioural based training to Employment Service Providers around Australia.
Matt worked from 2021-2023 with Jobs Victoria at the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions as the Jobs Victoria Senior Coordinator of several regions including Ovens Murray, Mallee, Wimmera Sth Mallee, Barwon and Great South Coast, where he also was a member of the Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces. Currently Matt is employed at Apprenticeships Victoria, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions as the Priority Apprenticeship Manager, engaging with Industry, Education and Employment for stronger apprenticeship and traineeship completions.
Jan is an experienced senior leader with a strong record of delivering positive outcomes across tertiary education, community engagement and workforce development. As Manager of Student Engagement and Support at Southwest TAFE, she provides strategic oversight into key programs including the Reconnect Program and the Skills and Jobs Centre. These responsibilities place her in direct contact with local jobseekers, industry partners and community organisations, giving her a grounded understanding of regional workforce challenges and the barriers people face when seeking training or employment. This insight enables Jan to guide programs that are practical, targeted and responsive to community needs.
Jan’s leadership career includes significant roles at Deakin University and within the Aged Care sector, where she managed major workforce development initiatives through periods of change and reform. She is widely recognised for her ability to reinvigorate teams, rebuild trust and foster cultures of collaboration and accountability. Her strengths lie in connecting strategy with operational delivery, navigating complex environments and building strong, purpose‑driven partnerships across sectors.
A passionate mentor, Jan is committed to developing the capability and confidence of others. She believes in empowering individuals to reach their potential and creating environments where people feel supported, valued and encouraged to grow. Her inclusive communication style and ability to engage authentically with diverse groups make her a respected leader and community connector.
Jan is deeply dedicated to strengthening regional resilience. Through mentoring, partnership development and community‑based initiatives, she continually seeks opportunities to contribute her skills in ways that deliver lasting social and economic impact.
Matt is the Executive Officer of the Neil Porter Legacy (NPL), an organisation dedicated to empowering young people across the Corangamite, Moyne and Warrnambool Shires to make informed and confident career decisions. With a background in teaching, Matt brings deep insight into the challenges young people face and the importance of timely, relevant exposure to real workplace experiences.
Matt has a well-developed understanding of how to design initiatives that genuinely resonate with both students and industry that lead to sustained engagement. His ability to identify gaps, anticipate emerging needs and create practical, people centred solutions ensures young people stay connected to meaningful pathways rather than slipping through the cracks.
Each year the NPL collaborates with more than 350 businesses in the region, giving Matt and his team a clear view of industry needs and opportunities. The strong connection to both young people and employers enable Matt to shape programs that are responsive, effective and deeply grounded in local context. Importantly, Matt’s deep industry networks and understanding of workforce expectations allow him to apply these insights beyond youth cohorts, recognising that many of the barriers faced by young people are shared across age groups and backgrounds; this positions him to support broader regional workforce solutions.
A lifelong Warrnambool resident now raising his family in the region, Matt is committed to it’s continued prosperity. He champions collaboration as the key to long-term success and is an active contributor to initiatives such as the Local Jobs Taskforce. Matt is grateful to work alongside dedicated regional partners and remains focused on strengthening pathways that support young people to thrive.
Leanne is a proud Gunditjmara woman and an experienced Aboriginal cultural educator with a rich and diverse background spanning the health, employment and inclusion, education and government sectors.
Across her career, Leanne has contributed to a wide range of initiatives that centre on strengthening community wellbeing and cultural understanding. She has held roles focused on building cultural capability within organisations, promoting culturally safe practices and leading programmes that deepen awareness of Aboriginal histories, perspectives and lived experiences. Her work is grounded in cultural knowledge, deep connection to Country and her commitment to ensuring that Aboriginal voices, traditions and strengths are recognised and respected.
Leanne is well-known for her practical insights, strong relationship-building skills and her ability to bring people together in collaborative and culturally informed ways. She approaches every project with authenticity and a focus on creating environments where meaningful conversations and shared learning can occur.
In her current role with the Department of Transport and Planning, Leanne continues to apply her broad professional expertise and cultural leadership to support better outcomes across the sector. She remains dedicated to fostering understanding, strengthening partnerships and contributing to initiatives that create lasting, positive impact for Aboriginal communities and the broader Victorian community.
Angela Williams lives in the Moyne Shire and has been delivering the Local Jobs Program for the South Coast since it began in October 2021. With a diverse background spanning employment services, not-for-profits, governance and private enterprise, she brings deep experience in supporting communities and strengthening local workforce outcomes.
Having lived and worked in the South Coast Region for more than 30 years, Angela has a strong understanding of the are and works with others to turn good ideas into initiatives that genuinely improved outcomes across the region. Angela is Deputy Chair of Leadership Great South Coast and volunteers on the Consumer Committee as St John of God Hospital. Well connected and actively involved in local community life, she is committed to contributing to positive and inclusive regional development.
Jen is a qualified Careers Practitioner with a deep commitment to strengthening employment pathways across the South Coast of Victoria. Born and raised in Warrnambool, she brings a strong local connection and a clear understanding of the region’s opportunities, workforce needs and community priorities. Her career has spanned roles in training, workforce development, recruitment, industry engagement and community liaison — each reinforcing her passion for creating practical, place based initiatives that deliver real outcomes for local people and businesses.
Jen has extensive experience within the Vocational Education and Training / TAFE Sector when she designed employment focused training programs, supported skills recognition pathways and managed key employment services contracts. This work strengthened her expertise in aligning training with industry needs and supporting learners into meaningful employment.
Her insights are informed by experience across commercial recruitment, business development and the employment services and skills recognition space, as well as recruitment for a major regional employer. Jen excels at building strong relationships, identifying opportunities and managing collaborative projects that support both workforce needs and community aspirations. She remains dedicated to improving employment outcomes and supporting sustainable growth across the South Coast region.
Chris Bellman is the Site Manager at are-able Warrnambool, where he leads a dedicated team committed to delivering high quality, person centred employment services. With extensive experience across are able’s programs, Chris is focused on creating a supportive environment for both staff and participants, ensuring services are delivered with integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
His role involves guiding teams through performance goals, fostering collaborative practice, and ensuring safe, ethical responses to the diverse needs of jobseekers. Chris is passionate about upholding are able’s values by promoting inclusive opportunities, strengthening community partnerships, and driving positive outcomes for participants.
Known for his approachable leadership style and solutions focused mindset, Chris works to empower his team and contribute to a workplace culture built on respect, professionalism, and genuine care for the people are able supports. He is proud to play a role in helping individuals build confidence, independence, and long term employment pathways.
Liz is an experienced executive leader with a strong background in the not-for-profit sector, having held senior roles in Melbourne including Deputy CEO of Melbourne City Mission (MCM), Leadership Victoria and CEO of St John of God ACCORD. Her leadership career spans Australian Disability Enterprises, Disability Employment Services, alternative education, and a broad range of community programs, where she has consistently delivered impactful outcomes for diverse and vulnerable communities.
Three years ago, Liz relocated to regional Victoria and has since become deeply embedded in the Colac and broader Southwest region, developing strong networks and a grounded understanding of local priorities, challenges, and opportunities.
Liz currently serves as Programs Coordinator at Community Hub Inc. in Colac, overseeing community programs and Learn Local adult education initiatives tailored to regional needs. She also works as the Colac Community Facilitator for FRRR’s Investing in Rural and Regional Futures program, supporting community capacity building and long term local development.
With her blend of metropolitan and regional leadership experience, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and a commitment to youth retention and regional workforce pathways, Liz brings valuable insight, connections and collaborative experience to the Jobs and Skills Taskforce.