regional extra no r t h east
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◆ DRIVING INNOVATION: Susan Benedyka is driven to improving digital opportunities for people in the North East. PHOTOS: Kylie Wilson
06 - 12 june 2018
by KYLIE WILSON
Working
together for the
region
A STRONG love for the North East, its communities, and its potential motivates the members of the Ovens and Murray Regional Partnership (OMRP), established just a few years ago. Local women Susan Benedyka and Irene Grant have both been involved with the assembly since its inception, helping to consult with and advocate for local communities to see them grow and evolve. Susan has a particular passion for improving digital access and infrastructure for the North East in order to make it more competitive on a state, national and even global scale. “It’s all about where we are going to take the region in the future,” she said, noting the assembly has secured funding to develop a “digital plan” for the region, which a number of people are currently working on. Susan said some of the main issues she is focused on as part of the partnership is funding and helping address gaps in digital infrastructure, as well as increasing opportunities in the rapidly advancing digital field, where technology can help change the face of health consultation and diagnosis, tourism, and even the nature of workplaces. She said some of the proudest moments so far was helping secure funds for the forthcoming local digital hub at Wangaratta Library, as well as money for a digital innovation centre in Wodonga.
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