It has been 10 years since she joined the Moira Shire Council and not a day has passed where she hasn’t fought tooth and nail for people and the viable future of the region.
And it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Cr Buck was recently rewarded for her service, to which she spoke on the satisfaction she derived from her role.
“It is an achievement to reach 10 years on Moira Shire Council as only the second woman to achieve this. It is an honour to be respected and supported by my community,” she said.
`‘It shows that one woman with a vision can be a role model and pave the way for women to be at the forefront of community contribution in local government on boards and chair these organisations.”
Cr Buck has blazed many a trail throughout her tenure.
A large part of her work has centred around mentoring women for local and state governments, especially empowering females to pioneer significant change in their community.
The first woman to be elected chairman of a regional waste group, Cr Buck took it upon herself to question infrastructure needs and assisted in the development of significant state projects and policies.
She also unveiled a history project casting light on local female councillors to celebrate 100 years of women in local government.
However, her contribution to the Moira Shire dates back to well before her days on council.
With a proven track record of service, particularly within the sustainability sector, Cr Buck knew she had plenty to offer in the way of championing change.
“I needed to be successful in an election process where very few female candidates are elected in rural Victoria,” she said.
“I had to be a stand-out woman candidate and, with my proven track record of work in the community, facilitating the farming support group and WTC irrigation expo and the tourism brochure I created (Small communities, great treasures) I had shown I had passion and commitment for my community and was a worthwhile candidate for local council.”
Once elected to council, she wasted no time setting about change.
Cr Buck's passion for a greener future was evident from the get-go and has been staple of her work in the past decade.
“I saw the need for a full green bin service in Moira Shire where I lived, but how to pioneer change in my community and alter the way people think about waste and recycling to be more sustainable was the question,” she said.
“I was a guest speaker at the Victorian Rural Community Leadership Program and presented at The Future of Local Food Conference on overcoming barriers to effective kerbside garden and food organics recovery.
“Innovations I initiated and championed through Moira Shire Council and the Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group include the full organic green waste bin, and Watts Working Better Street Lighting upgrade.”
Cr Buck has also stood up for the disadvantaged, campaigning for an all-abilities playground with disability parking and a wheelchair accessible barbecue, and continues to rally for its extended development.
Through her time serving as an advocate, voice and action-taker for the region, Cr Buck has gained an appreciation of the universal benefit gained from community members stepping up to local government.
Challenging the populace to take a similar path, she said the ability to make a difference was one that should never be underestimated.
“The whole community benefits from those of us who stand for local government, who put our hands up to be on boards, being put forward to be the leaders who evoke positive change in their communities — those who choose to be at the decision-making table and not on the menu, who engage with their community and bring them along to develop and own these decisions which shape their future.”
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