A Thriving Future: A Wellbeing Economy Conversation with Dr Katherine Trebeck

Event Details

What if our local economy was designed for the wellbeing of people, planet, and future generations? And what kind of Greater Geelong do we want our families, future kin and communities to grow up in?

Parents for Climate, Geelong Sustainability, Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West, Cloverdale Community Centre and Real Deal Geelong invite you to an inspiring evening of conversation and connection with Dr Katherine Trebeck, internationally recognised wellbeing economist and Program Director Economy at The Next Economy.

This flagship event of the One Planet Festival invites our community to explore the possibility of a wellbeing economy, an economy that prioritises health, care, connection, equity, and ecological regeneration, rather than measuring success by endless growth alone.

Across the evening, we’ll unpack what a wellbeing economy really means, hear from a diverse and locally grounded panel about what’s already taking shape in our region and open up a shared conversation about how our local economy could be better aligned with the futures we want for our children and communities.

This is a space to:

• Build shared understanding and spark new ways of thinking
• Recognise and celebrate the groundwork already underway in our community
• Connect global ideas to local priorities and lived experience
• Imagine futures where prosperity is measured by collective wellbeing

This event is open to all community members, whether you’re a community organiser, local business owner, educator, council staff member, student, or someone simply curious about what a thriving future could look like – this conversation is for you.

This event is a chance for our region to come together, ask big questions, and explore what’s possible. Register now.

Gather for networking and light snacks at 5.30pm, for a prompt 6.00pm start. 

We are also seeking volunteers to help support the night. To volunteer on the night, please complete this form.

Katherine Trebeck Bio 

Katherine is a political economist, writer and advocate for economic system change. Her roles include writer-at-large and co-director of the Compassion in Financial Services hub at the University of Edinburgh, Economic Change Programme Director for The Next Economy, and Strategic Advisor for the Centre for Policy Development. She co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) and WEAll Scotland, its Scottish hub, and she instigated the group of Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo). She is a member of the Club of Rome and her board roles have included a range of groups such as Hands Across Canberra, Denmark’s Wellbeing Economy Lab, the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity, and The Democracy Collaborative. She is Distinguished Visitor at ANU’s Planetary Health Hothouse, a New Economics Senior Fellow at the ZOE Institute and was 2024 thinker-in-residence at the Australian Health Promotion Association.

Panelists Bios

Colin Long: Colin is Just Transitions Coordinator at Victorian Trades Hall Council, responsible for climate and energy policy, and also a member of Unionists for a Job Guarantee and Real Deal for Geelong. Colin is a founder and board member of several Earthworker Cooperatives.

Liz Bonner: Liz Bonner is the CEO of Cloverdale Community Centre, a community-owned, not-for-profit, Neighbourhood House and Learn Local organisation in Corio-Norlane focused on place-based, community-lead development. With a strong track record in community development, adult education, and social enterprise, Liz leads a team committed to initiatives that connect economic participation with wellbeing by building local skills, creating pathways to meaningful work, and strengthening social connection. Cloverdale centres its work on community voice, equity, and practical systems change, positioning as a grounded advocate for a wellbeing economy that puts people, place, and purpose at the centre of decision-making.

More panelists to be announced soon.