Neil Smith

My passion for small towns has meant more than 30 years working in community and economic development in paid work and involvement in communities where I have lived.
Choosing to work in community development in and with small towns has inevitably meant a lot of short-term contract work – with all levels of government as well as large and small NGOs. Interspersed with periods of self-employment. And a stint working for Monash University (in regional development).

This has led to quite a varied range of jobs – often covering a large geography including working across the whole of rural Victoria.

In 2007 the decision to buy a small retro caravan park meant a shift from Mirboo North in South Gippsland to Nowa Nowa in East Gippsland. As well as running the caravan park, I continued my interest in second hand and collectable retro – firstly with a shop in Nowa Nowa and later with the Bruthen Bizarre.

Following the 2019 – 2020 bushfires I worked for Bushfire Recovery Victoria, based at Sarsfield. Following this was employment with Good Shepherd supporting new micro enterprises; time spent supporting the East Gippsland Timber Milling Project and since June 2024 employment with Australian Business Volunteers.

I now live in Toorloo Arm on Lake Tyers and continue my involvement with the CFA and the local hall committee.