International journey brings Nicola to Lardner

It’s not an obvious progression, and Nicola Pero has been quizzed a few times about what led her to apply for a job in West Gippsland.

“I’ve been fortunate to have opportunities to work and travel,” says the new chief executive of Lardner Park Events.

“I feel now that I’d like to invest that experience and learning in making a difference in a community in a regional area.”

She says the Lardner Park gig is a good match for her career, which started in event and venue management and expanded into tourism and sport.

She’s been involved with two Olympics (Sydney and Athens), the Asian Games, a rodeo (Canada), a pro surfing carnival (New York), Indy car racing (Gold Coast), and moto GP (Eastern Creek, Sydney).

She takes up the new job on June 20, after the departure of long-time head Mark Cockerill.

Last Tuesday Ms Pero combined a trip to Lardner Park with a bit of house hunting. Ideally she would like to live close to her new job.

After a cosmopolitan working life, Lardner Park must seem a little … quiet?

“I was born and raised on a farm [in New Zealand]. I feel a strong connection. I’m not 20 and I know what makes me happy.”

She arrives in West Gippsland as it comes to terms with one of the most precipitous dairy declines in decades, but points out that times of crisis often foster great innovation.

“I think a place like Lardner Park can play an important role as a platform for meetings and workshops.”

She believes the venue has an exciting future, with the city an hour’s drive away.

She promises there will be no major changes at first. She believes it’s important for her to become familiar with the venue and community and to get involved with local tourism and business groups.

“First and foremost is to ensure sustainability.

“What does the future look like – what sort of events need to be held here that ensure sustainability?”

Lardner Park last year diversified from its usual agricultural focus, somewhat controversially, when it hosted Beyond the Valley, a three-day music and camping festival attended by 16,500 festival goers at the end of 2015.

While police and Lardner Park Events were generally complimentary about the organisation and festival goers, some nearby residents expressed concern about traffic, noise and rubbish.

Organisers have stated they are keen to return to Lardner Park this year.

Ms Pero said it was difficult for her to comment on the festival at this stage, but at first sight Lardner Park did seem a good venue for a music festival.

“We need to look at who benefits – not just Lardner Park but the businesses in town.

“Maybe someone comes to Beyond the Valley, and they might come back twice during the year.

“You are always going to have people who have concerns. It’s important to get down to what are those concerns and how can they be addressed.”

She promises an open door policy to nearby residents and anyone with concerns or ideas.