Annie Volkering, General Manager of Assets, Land Management and Strategic Development
Annie Volkering spent much of her childhood in Victoria’s alpine country hiking, camping and skiing the slopes, so it’s no surprise her fondness for the region intersected with her career.
“I grew up in Mansfield and learnt to ski on Buller when I was about eight years old,” Annie says. “My eldest brother taught me to ski and I tagged along with him whenever I could.
“I went to Mansfield High School and was lucky to spend most Thursday afternoons in winter skiing as part of our leisure and recreation program. It was fabulous.”
Inspired by local mum and pharmacist Elaine Eisner, who volunteered to teach local children as part of the school ski program, Annie says she long dreamt of being the ‘cool mum’ who could ski anywhere with grace and style.
A serious injury a decade ago put paid to that dream, but she now thinks snow-shoeing could become her winter hobby.
Annie was instrumental in the early conceptualisation, policy development and legislative change to create Alpine Resorts Victoria while employed at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and also worked closely with the resorts during COVID.
Now ARV’s Assets, Land Management and Strategic Development General Manager, she is helping to turn the concept of a united alpine entity into a reality.
“My motivation for applying for this role was to be part of taking the concept and making it real – to deliver the benefits of a single entity and a strong voice that we envisaged for the industry and these special places,” she says.
“Having grown up in Mansfield, I also understand the importance of the mountains to the communities in the valleys and I want to be part of helping this industry to adapt to the challenges of climate change and long-term economic sustainability so the broader communities’ benefit.”
With a career spanning more than 30 years in the public sector, Annie is an established executive leader and general manager who works hard to build respectful and productive relationships that deliver outcomes.
She has led state-wide policy and strategy development and implementation, program and service delivery and corporate services in conservation, environmental regulation, park and public land management at several Victorian government departments, including the Environment Protection Authority and Parks Victoria.
Annie holds a Bachelor of Applied Science – Environmental Assessment and Land Use Police, a Diploma of Secondary Education and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
“I love the mountains and Victoria’s high country in the green season possibly more than the white season,” she says.
“Being in the mountains fills my tank. I love the environment – the smell of the eucalypts, the views across the mountains, the wildlife, the air, the sounds and everything about the mountains. It’s where I feel most connected to the world and refuelled as a person.”
Page last updated: 31/08/23