Chair of Victorian Disability Advisory Council

Colleen Furlanetto lives in rural Victoria where she runs an Earthmoving Business and farm with her husband and family.

Colleen was an elected representative of the Strathbogie Shire, from 2008 – 2016 serving two terms. With 4 years as Deputy Mayor and final year in 2016 as Mayor. Colleen is currently in her second term on VDAC which commenced in 2013 and, in December 2016, she was appointed as Chair of VDAC.

Colleen has come from a health background working as registered nurse and phlebotomist for many years in Practice Nurse setting, Aged care, Disability and Acute care. While nursing and in local government, Colleen witnessed inequity in many forms but the lack of choice of services for people with a disability, seemed to her, a massive challenge for the community and particularly for people with a disability.

Colleen has always believed strongly in access and equity for all Australians, including people with a disability. She has since acquired a chronic health condition and is learning first hand to live with the challenges of disability.

Colleen is an active advocate for prevention of violence hoping for a time where women and girls live free from violence including women with disability. Colleen is passionate about policy and reform in the disability sector, and is an advocate for people with a disability.

“Everyone should have a voice, everyone should have choice”  and Colleen also believes everyone has the right to contribute and be active citizens.