Josh Sinclair stands strong for community

Ever since Josh Sinclair was a child he’s been interested in current affairs and what’s happening around his community. Born and bred on the Mornington Peninsula and with a background working in politics, his new appointment as CEO of Committee for Mornington Peninsula has been welcomed by community and business leaders.

“I’ve come to this role from State Government,” Josh says. “I worked for four years running (former Nepean state Labor MP) Chris Brayne’s office. Before that I worked in communications in a disability organisation, and before that I worked for federal MP Clare O’Neil.”

CfMP is an independent, member-based organisation that defines itself as the peak advocacy body on the Peninsula. Advocating on behalf of the Peninsula is something Josh knows how to do. His vision is to make the committee a relevant and influential organisation where community and business are working together on the same shared objectives. “I want to build on the good relationships I have at all levels of government in a bipartisan way to help get the investment we thoroughly deserve on the Peninsula.”

Josh looks to the success similar committees in other locations, such as Geelong, have had with attracting investment from government as inspiration and evidence of what’s possible. “These committees work really well when they’re run well. The Committee for Geelong was set up by the late Frank Costa. When he set the committee up, Geelong was a town reliant on Ford, house prices were low, and people weren’t moving there. Over the past 20 years, Geelong has had a real resurgence, and the committee was important for that because it helped leverage the politics of the area and unite business, local government and community representatives.”

Josh understands how different segments of the community have similar priorities for our region, and the business community is just one part of that. “My task is to bring business and community together to fight for the investments and opportunities that the Mornington Peninsula deserves from all levels of government. Working as CEO of the peak advocacy body on the Mornington Peninsula – led by some of the region’s smartest business and community leaders – to address the economic disadvantages our community faces is what motivates me most about this job.”