In 2023, I was honored to be appointed as a member of the Consultative Panel for the Committee for Ballarat. This panel brings together community members from various professional fields and geographic areas. Our primary role is to offer strategic input on various initiatives and methods, thereby helping to shape and direct the execution of key, long-term projects across the region. I joined the panel with a strong desire to represent the interests of the Pyrenees Shire, ensuring that the broader area around Ballarat also benefits from our initiatives. A particular focus of mine is to foster growth in inclusivity for people with disabilities, both visible and invisible, within our community and influencing the planned Ballarat Energy Network. This role is more than a duty; it's a passion that I deeply cherish.

— Matt Bowd