Applications are now open for the 2022 Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program to inspire and challenge participants while supporting the development of confidence, skills, and a deeper understanding of leadership.
Run by LEAD Loddon Murray, the program is a process that has been delivered annually since 1998 to support participants’ personal and professional development in a community context.
Many of the program’s graduates have progressed to serve in positions such as local government councillors and executives, and as board members and volunteers on key community and government groups across the region.
LEAD Loddon Murray executive officer Keith MacQueen said the program was a good opportunity to access quality leadership development.
“With recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic being paramount for communities across our region, now more than ever access to high quality community leadership development is vital for smaller rural communities and growing towns in our region,” he said.
Participant from 2021, Andrew Smyth from Riddell’s Creek, said he had found the leadership program life changing.
“As I uncover more about my leadership capabilities and gaps it also fuels me to learn more, so I can give more,” he said.
“Reflecting on the structure of the program and the opportunities it creates, my goal intensifies to be a committed community leader.”
Past participant and program director Jude Hannah said she was proud to be able to support the leadership journey of new participants.
“The [program] is a truly unique experience in that it challenges participants to implement their learning immediately, through reflective practice and by implementing a community project,” she said.
“The quality of education, the ideas we explore, speakers we learn from and places we visit in the [program] leaves a lasting impact with our graduates.”
Several scholarship places are on offer to allow community-minded people to participate in the program at a heavily subsidised cost.
Scholarships are available for various groups, including dairy industry, natural resource management sector, indigenous people, those with an interest in the arts or the environment, and residents of local government areas across the region.
Residents can also call Ms Hannah on 0499 171 663 or email jude@leadlm.org.au.
