The Champion Chat
Cr. Alison Champion, the mayor of Banyule Council shares her thoughts and conversations with community leaders and inspiring figures. Alison is committed to the idea that every person’s potential is achievable. Her intention is to be a positive role model and change-maker who empowers others to be the same.
Episodes
53 episodes
#53 : Christmas 2025
It's our last podcast of this year 🎉 and what a year it has been! For many of us it is time to take some time off, relax and spend some quality time with those we love. In this Champion Chat Christmas edition, we discuss;What Alison loo...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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18:39
#52: Footpath & Road Maintenance
This month Carl and I discuss the process for maintenance of our city's roads, parks, footpaths and trails. Whilst roads and footpaths may not seem an exciting topic, it is probably the topic that is most at the top of residents thoughts along ...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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36:17
#51: HDH and SCS
This month Carl and I discuss the Victorian Government's recently introduced planning policies and the resultant High Density Housing. We will also be talking about the Banyule City Special Charge Scheme Policy. Some of the topics c...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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53:13
#50: Banyule Winter Sports
Community sports clubs are truly the centre around which many of us revolve our social activities and spare time. Whether as parents ferrying children to their weekend games, or participating in our own sports for exercise and the love of...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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1:06:54
#49: Banyule City 2025 Budget Review
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Last year the podcast looked at what goes into a council budget. This year, Cr Alison Champion and Cr. Rick Garotti will provide insights into the 2025 budget and how it has been constructed, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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58:56
#48: 6-Month Council Review
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. It's now been 7 months since the council elections, and today we are going to review how the first 6 months of the new council have been going. How have the new faces settled in, and what has...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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53:18
#47: Your Rates Notice
🎧 New Podcast Episode Out Now! 🎧Ever wondered exactly what’s in your council rates notice and why you’re charged for things like the Fire Services Property Levy? Or how those property valuations are calculated?In this episode of...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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29:54
#46: ANZAC Day 2025
Welcome to our ANZAC Day Champion Chat podcast. Today we will be talking about the significance of ANZAC Day, what it means in the community, support and recognition for veterans, and finally what are some of the upcoming events around ANZAC Da...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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39:29
#45: WaterMarc Immersion Therapy Program
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Today we are starting a new segment on “Health and Wellness in Banyule” and our first episode is on the new Immersion Therapy Program at Banyule's WaterMarc. Joining Alison in this episode ar...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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51:17
#44: Inclusive Employment & Budget Submissions
In this chat episode we talk about,- What is the “Inclusive Employment Program” and what does it cover?- Cr. Rick Garotti shares an inspiring story about how the "Inclusive Employment Program" transformed a young person's life.-...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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1:01:15
#43: Arts and culture within Banyule
In this episode we are talking with Jo Brazil, a local artist who not creates her own art, but volunteers within the Banyule Arts community to help other artists within the area on initiatives such as Banyule Open Studios and the Ivanhoe Librar...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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44:36
#42: XMAS Holidays 2024
It's our last podcast of this year! 🎉 And what a year it has been. For many of us it is time to take some time off, relax and spend some quality time with those we love. In this Champion Chat holiday edition, we discuss;Alison’s highlig...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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25:25
#41: Building Better Communities
Are you passionate about creating thriving communities and fostering a strong sense of belonging? Would it surprise you to know that it doesn't always need the big idea or gesture? Sometimes it's the little things that make a huge difference, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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54:35
#40: Banyule City Budget 2024 Review
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Residents sometimes wonder what goes into a council budget and there is the simplistic view that councils should just focus on rates, roads and rubbish.. But do you know what services are act...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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47:24
#39: Diversity in Banyule
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Today we continue our look at diversity within Banyule City. Joining Alison in this episode are Phillip Howe and Nos Hosseini, areas of discussion are:What is diversity? As Austra...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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1:00:10
#38: Diversity in Banyule
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Today we continue our series on Social Change and Local Government Support by having a deeper look at the LGBTIQA+ Community within the Banyule City. Joining Alison in this episode are Fleassy Mala...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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56:21
#37: Banyule City Major Projects
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. This month we are doing an overview/update of the Banyule City major projects to understand how they came about, the aim or benefits each project hopes to achieve, and where are we on the jou...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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49:40
#36: Traders Associations in Banyule
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat. In this episode we are going to revisit local Traders Associations. Many people in the community would rather support their local businesses due to their drive to give back, supporting the local comm...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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36:51
#35: Banyule Council Meetings
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. The hot topic lately has been about Local Government and are some of them getting too involved in issues which could be seen as having nothing to do with local city management. Today Alison w...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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1:01:59
#34: Traders Associations in Banyule
Welcome to our first podcast of this year! And we are going to kick off this year with one of the most important things to us in our daily lives, local businesses and local Traders Associations. Many people in the community would ra...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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41:20
#33: XMAS Holidays 2023
Welcome to our last podcast of this year! 🎉 No doubt this year has been very challenging for most of us. I think it is time to take some time off, relax and spend some quality time with those we love. In this special holiday edition, we discuss...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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42:23
#32: Journey to 2041
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. This month we are looking at the Banyule City 2041 Vision to understand the thinking behind the Vision, and where are we on the journey so far. Joining Alison for this month's podcast i...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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1:02:27
#31: Were Street Redevelopment
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. This month we are taking it to the streets as we take a walk down Were Street, Montmorency to see how the precinct now looks after the redvelopment.We'll have a look at:- The upgr...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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38:25
#30: Banyule City Scouts Organisation
Welcome to the Champion Chat podcast. Today we continue our series on Community Groups and Local Government Support by talking about the Banyule City Scouts Organisation. The Scouts are an organisation that have been operating for well over a c...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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1:18:08
#29: Banyule City Budget 2023 Review
Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. The hot topic lately has been about budgets, service cuts and inflation, and with the approval and release of the Banyule City 2023 budget, Alison, Cr. Peter Costaldo and Cr. Rick Garotti will prov...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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46:00