Frankston Suburban Revitalisation Board

Paul is the State Member for Frankston and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Treasurer, Trade, and Industrial Relations.

Paul was raised with a sense of community and a strong social conscience by parents who worked in the Latrobe Valley Coal Mines and ran their own businesses. Paul’s family are also long time Salvation Army members, his father, a former Corps Sergeant Major.

Prior to his career in politics Paul was a teacher and later a Leading Firefighter. Paul developed strong ties within our community and a reputation for not settling for the status quo and getting the job done.

First elected in 2014, Paul is a fierce advocate for Victoria and his community, overseeing record levels of investment in infrastructure, education, health, roads, and public transport, with a focus on leaving no one behind.

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Stephen Varty has been the Chief Executive Officer of Chisholm Institute since November 2019. Previously holding the position of Chief of Education at Chisholm, Director of Innovation and Engagement at Victoria University, and various other senior managerial positions in the VET and HE sectors in both the UK and Australia. Stephen's extensive experience is a testament to his commitment to the education sector.

Stephen brings a values-driven and relational leadership style to the CEO role. Known for his strategic outlook, approachability, and integrity Stephen nurtures a collaborative workplace culture. His passion lies in education, leading the implementation of innovative practices, creative training solutions, and his commitment to coaching and leadership execution, which are all aimed at transforming and elevating the competence and productivity of individuals and business.

At Chisholm, Stephen's focus on student growth and infrastructure development reflect his long-term vision for the institute to make a significant impact to students educational journey and to the communities and businesses Chisholm serve.

Stephen's holds a Bachelor of Education in VET from Charles Sturt University, and a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership, and a Masters of Education, from Victoria University.

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A passionate community leader in the Victorian legal assistance sector, supporting people facing challenging situations access policies, and services with a focus on human rights and access to justice.

I have worked with all levels of government, major departments, agencies and organisations for more than 25 years advising on policy, rights and reform to make Australia’s processes and systems fairer and more equitable.

For the past thirteen years, I have been the Chief Executive Officer of the Peninsula Community Legal Centre, an independent not-for-profit organization, providing free legal services to Melbourne’s Southeast communities. I lead a team of lawyers, educators and support staff helping Victorians get access to justice, prioritizing those who need it most.

I am a member of a number of state, regional and local committees, networks and working groups presenting the voice and issues for vulnerable and low -income people in our region.  

I was honoured to receive an Order of Australia medal for service to the community in 2023. 

Karinda Taylor is a Wamba Wamba woman from Northwest of Victoria where she was born and raised. Karinda is the Chief Executive Officer at First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, a trauma informed, culturally safe Aboriginal health service, made up of comprehensive primary care, mental health and trauma counselling teams, a proud mum of 4 beautiful souls ranging from 5 to 25 and wife to the luckiest man, Justin!

As a registered nurse and midwife Karinda is an experienced and committed health professional who believes connection to culture, kin and a sense of belonging are vital to overall health and wellbeing. With over fifteen years’ experience in Aboriginal health, she has worked in various clinical, strategic leadership and management roles across Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations, state government and regional and metro hospitals.

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Bernadine Geary is an accomplished business leader with over 30 years of extensive experience in Consumer, Commercial, and Business Finance lending. She is the CEO of the Frankston Business Collective who works closely with the Frankston City Council to help businesses connect, thrive and grow.

Bernadine's academic achievements include a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and qualifications from both the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Institute of Credit Management in Australia and the UK as well as a Cert IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking.

Bernadine has established businesses both in the UK and Australia, including Style Finance Group, a mortgage and finance broking business. She is also the proud owner of Sk8house, a vibrant local business in Carrum Downs that she and her husband acquired in 2015. This venture has allowed her to channel her passion for community engagement while applying her business acumen in a different context. At Sk8house, they have worked tirelessly to create a welcoming environment for families and young people, promoting a healthy lifestyle through skating and recreational activities.

Her combined finance experience and entrepreneurial spirit led Bernadine to join the board of the Frankston Business Collective, where she is committed to giving back to the business community. She believes in the importance of fostering positive connections among local businesses and supporting their growth and development and strives to be a radiant force wherever she goes.

Adj. Associate Professor Helen Cooper was appointed Chief Executive in July 2024 having previously held the role of Executive Director Operations and Deputy Chief Executive at Peninsula Health since November 2019. Holding a Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Business Administration Helen has over 25 years’ experience in health leadership and executive roles with previous executive positions at Murrumbidgee Local Health District NSW and Gold Coast Hospital & Health Service. Helen has extensive experience in strategic service planning, hospital redevelopments and leading diverse teams across complex health services. Helen has a passion for strong clinical governance, working with patients and consumers to ensure healthcare strategies are codesigned, and inclusively creating culturally safe environments with the local community. Helen strategically builds high performing teams within a dedicated workforce of health care professionals.  

The RAD-FMP is a long-standing Alcohol and Drug prevention and rehabilitation program delivered across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula by a group of local organisations including Peninsula Health, Chisholm Institute, Monash University and the City of Frankston. The program addresses the high drug and alcohol abuse issues in the region. This program was supported by the Frankston Suburban Revitalisation Board over several grant rounds.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $270,000 in funding for the project, which is delivered in partnership with RAD-FMP and Peninsula Health.

This project included the purchase of equipment to support community capacity building and civic participation through the development of various skills in older citizens, vulnerable and disadvantaged residents in the Frankston area.

It also provided opportunities for disadvantaged members of the community by offering free services, education, access to Wi-Fi, the latest equipment, resources and support to help them develop skills, find work, housing or further education.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $19,885 of funding for the project, which was delivered in partnership with Orwil Street Community House.

This project delivered up to three social enterprises from the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region between February and August 2023, it included:

• Co-working desks in the Frankston Social Enterprise Hub.
• 150 hours of hands-on support from experienced social enterprise mentors/advisers.
• Paid access to stage-appropriate social entrepreneurship learning programs from across Australia.
• Capital to support innovations that create employment and training opportunities for disadvantaged people in the region.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $80,000 in funding for the project, which was delivered in partnership with Peninsula Health, Chisholm Institute and Frankston Foundry.

The project sought to identify requisite enablers and barriers for the full implementation of the Frankston Social Enterprise Hub (FSEH), including pilot testing of select FSEH activities to assess reach and effectiveness. Informed by these assessments, a complete business case will be developed for the implementation of the FSEH.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $221,525 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Peninsula Health.

The project activated White Street Mall through a series of short-term installations. This contributed to the transformation of the Frankston Station Precinct into a safer, more modern place of business and activity.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The project reinvigorated the service lane to provide a more useable shared space through greening, lighting and public art.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $275,000 of funding for the project, which was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The project delivered roof works and presentation improvements for Station Street Mall. It contributed to works along Station Street to improve weather protection for visitors through an upgrade to building fabric and canopies.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Vicinity Centres.

Activation of Nepean Hwy between Davey and Playne Street complemented VicRoads' new 40km speed limit. Improvements will included:

• A creative lighting pilot to add to a vibrant and cultural experience of the highway for both motorists and pedestrians,
• Targeted façade improvements to encourage businesses and landowners to enhance the presentation of their building or business, and
• Median landscape improvements such as landscaping improvements to the central median to complement lighting and façade improvements.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $475,000 of funding for the project, which was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The project will meet the demand for future population growth and connect the Health and Education precinct to the Frankston city centre. This project builds on the Frankston Station to Monash Unviersity campus corridor upgrade and proposes to deliver a safe walking and cycling connection, improved amenity along the section of ‘Baxter Trail’ between Monash University and Frankston.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $460,000 of funding for the project, which is underway and is delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The project delivered improvements to Fletcher Road Gateway site including greenery on either side of the Fletcher Road Overpass to enhance Frankston's Urban Forest with a diverse section of local trees and plants to contribute to urban biodiversity.

The Fletcher Road underpass Lighting pilot project demonstrated creative, robust and sustainable lighting technology. Lighting the underpass created safety, legibility and access and complemented other development in the area.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $250,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The project will improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians as well as connecting the Monash University Campus, Frankston Hospital and Frankston Station, linking three major hubs within Frankston.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $350,000 of funding for the project, which is currently underway and is being delivered partnership with Frankston City Council.

This project is being delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council and will create an iconic, night-time landmark for Frankston City and will support a variety of recreational uses as day turns to night by providing creative, ambient lighting that is considerate of its environmental context.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $342,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

This project delivered improved amenities within Frankston city centre through the Vacant Shopfront Activation Grants. The project attracted new businesses to vacant shopfronts across the city by financially assisting with the transformation of properties into confident, sustainable and attractive spaces that create new business for Frankston City.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The Nepean Highway Hospitality Precinct Project supported businesses to expand outdoor dining into car parks, extended kerbsides and a laneway. The concept includes expansion of kerbside dining along Nepean Highway in Frankston’s city centre.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $135,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The project delivered new signage to direct all visitors, through accessible wayfinding, to the key locations within Frankston from the new Frankston train station.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $50,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The program promotes a positive image and stimulates economic activity in Frankston city centre through streetscape improvements, placemaking activities, and local business and community participation.

The project included façade improvement grants, laneway activations, placemaking events, kerbside dining improvement grants and shop activation grants.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $175,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

This project, delivered by Community Support Frankston, engaged with a range of other local businesses to provide non-pharmaceutical support. Grant funds for this project supported local economic activity and enhanced community well-being, especially for financially disadvantaged residents that would otherwise be unable to afford these essential goods and services.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $10,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Community Support Frankston.

The City Park project is a proposal to develop currently unused Victrack land located on Young Street Frankston at the end of Wells Street which has been recently developed as part of the Frankston Transport Hub redevelopment. This project delivered the Final Concept and Costings for City Park.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $31,500 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The Walk 4 Wellness and Webinar Series enhanced community wellbeing by engaging women and their networks in fitness, health and wellbeing activities that support them, their families, and friends to continue to respond to and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic through health and wellbeing activities. The activities provided opportunities for targeted social recovery, enabling local women to become part of a powerful community and connect with local spaces.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $10,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with The Women's Spirit Project.

The program promotes a positive image and stimulates economic activity in the Frankston city centre through the creation of an app which encourages visitation and creates an interactive experience for visits to Frankston.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $40,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

The Responding to Alcohol and other Drugs – Frankston and Mornington Peninsula (RAD-FMP) Phase 2 project consisted of three components:

• Expansion of Responding to Alcohol and other Drugs (RAD) and YouRPath Youth Engagement Project
• Preparation of an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Nurse Practitioner Information Guide and
• Development and demonstration of a Medically Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD) Prescriber/Pharmacist collaborative shared-care model, using community pharmacists.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $300,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Peninsula Health.

This project was the creation of a business plan for a social enterprise café at 7a Station Street, Frankston.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with First Peoples' Health and Wellbeing.

The program created a plan to promote a positive image and stimulate economic activity in the Frankston city centre.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $5,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

This project aimed to increase pedestrian traffic and improve street presence for local businesses. Six key locations were identified for the initial parklet installations.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $150,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council.

An eSports InGame Leadership Program engaged with Youth-at-risk residing in the Frankston area to encourage and develop self-esteem and emotional intelligence needed to cope with their current circumstances and to better handle future challenging situations.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $60,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with JC Workspace Innovations.

The program was delivered in partnership with Frankston Foundry over three phases:

Phase 1 of the program is to attract a number of interns to participate in, and complete, allocated projects over a 12-week timeframe.

Phase 2 of the program is to repeat the process over subsequent terms, plus the 20/21 Summer Holiday period with a possible increase in intern numbers and project number after the initial phase trial.

Phase 3 was the roll out of the program to a wider local business network within the Frankston region, allowing for long-term sustainability and diversity of the program - increasing skills growth & industry exposure.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Frankston Foundry.

With funding from the FSRB, Big Picture Fest has transformed Frankston city, bringing buildings and laneways to life with explosions of colourful street art created by the world’s most renowned street artists.

This yearly exciting festival is a celebration of art which also produced an offshoot: Frankston’s Street Art Tour showcasing over 80 murals. In 2024 the street art tour was inducted into the Australian Street Arts Awards’ Hall of Fame after winning Australia’s best street art tour 3 times running.