The program, which has been running since 1997, aims to empower leaders of the future.
It encourages the development of a vigorous network of community leaders by:
● Offering emerging leaders an intensive annual program that explores the major issues and opportunities for the Goulburn Murray region;
● Providing an environment where emerging leaders from the business, government, cultural, community and agricultural sectors can develop links and understanding;
● Enabling emerging leaders to meet and learn from existing leaders; and
● Combining emerging and existing leaders as a continuing resource of skills and influence to further enrich the community.
Program and strategy manager Vicki Scott said there was a broad range of participants form various industries and locations across the north east.
“We’ve got people here from Goulburn Valley Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, we have people from Greater Shepparton Council and someone from Moira Shire,” Ms Scott said.
“The people that undertake Fairley come from a very broad and diverse background.
“We have 600 alumni now, so the program has been very successful - and continues to be successful.
“It commences at the start of February and we wind up (in) November - so almost the full year.
“It is a commitment, but that commitment is there as to be a community leader requires commitment.
“It is intensive but that goes back to that level of commitment we’re expecting from people.”
Benalla Rural City Council chief executive officer Dom Testoni invited the group to Benalla.
“We had an opportunity to bring the leadership program here and I thought it would be great to support that,” Mr Testoni said.
“I spoke this morning about my journey, about how to become a leader in a community. I spoke about that and fielded questions for half an hour.
“Then they had a range of speakers including council community coordinator Catherine Macmillan, and Sally Matheson from Tomorrow Today.”
Mr Testoni said there were a number of leadership programs in the north east that council used for staff development.
“It’s about developing mentors and support for people,” he said.
“It’s not just about the formal program, it’s about what support is in place after the program.”
● If anyone would like to participate, or operates a business who might want to send someone on the program the best way to go about that would be to contact Ms Scott or Nathan Bibby who is their executive officer. They can do that by accessing its website at goulburnmurraycommunityleadership.com.au/our-programs
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