A community-led response to a moment of real change.
NNEST didn't begin with a finished plan.
It grew from conversations about Noojee, its changing economy, its natural environment, community connection and what might help this small forest town remain healthy and resilient into the future.
Through that process we have learnt something important.
Noojee does not need NNEST to become everything the community does not currently have. There are already people, businesses, services, organisations, skills and informal networks supporting this community.
Our role is to understand and strengthen those connections, make them easier to discover and identify where genuine gaps remain. Where something useful already exists, we want to support and connect with it.
Where something is missing, we can explore partnerships with people and organisations outside the immediate area that may be able to bring additional knowledge, resources, services and opportunities into Noojee.
NNEST is therefore developing as a connector between people, place, knowledge and opportunity.
How we're governed
Our governance is intentionally community-led. The community sits at the centre and serves the community — not the other way around.
NNEST Inc. operates under the standard Model Rules for Incorporated Associations published by Consumer Affairs Victoria, under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic).
Our committee
Elected at our inaugural meeting on 30 April 2026:
- President — JJ Barrett
- Secretary — Cam Incoll
- Treasurer — Linda Devenney
- Founding Members — Rebecca Baird, Michael Barrett, Frances Hoy
Additional ordinary committee members will be appointed as the association grows.
Our Partners and Community Network
Noojee is supported by more than the organisations physically located within the town.
Businesses, trades, health and community services, educators, emergency services, environmental organisations and regional groups based elsewhere already contribute to the wellbeing and resilience of our community.
NNEST wants to recognise and strengthen these relationships.
Our partnerships are not simply about sponsorship.
We are interested in relationships where businesses, organisations and community members can share knowledge, resources, programs, services and opportunities in ways that create mutual value.
Sometimes NNEST may deliver something directly.
Often our role will simply be to help the right people find each other.