The 2023 Fairley Leadership Program cohort heard from a range of speakers on economic development in the Goulburn Murray region during the event, which was sponsored by Moira Shire Council and hosted by the Yarrawonga Football Club.
It gave participants the chance to learn more about the shire and understand the importance of economic development for regional communities.
“Not only does the Fairley Leadership Program focus on developing participants’ leadership skills and community networks, but the program also plays a key role in creating awareness of initiatives that aim to inspire and transform our region and communities,” Goulburn Murray Community Leadership acting executive officer Vicki Scott said.
“The day is designed to help the group gain a greater understanding of the region, its priorities, challenges and to discuss with community leaders what it takes to lead important pieces of strategy and change for our region.”
The Economic Development Day had four key areas of focus:
- Continue to explore the importance of economic development.
- Examine what role participants can play as leaders in ensuring their community is prosperous and healthy.
- Border town challenges and opportunities.
- Learning about and exploring the meaning and importance of community leadership and individuals’ journeys.
During the day, the Fairley Leadership cohort heard from five leaders:
- Mark Whiley, leadership group and former seniors coach at Yarrawonga Pigeons.
- Cameron Sutton, Murray Regional Tourism chief executive.
- John Day, North East Water general manager of environment and sustainability.
- Janet Martin, Moira Shire Council sustainable communities acting director.
- Aunty Iris Troutman, Many Mobs Indigenous Corporation.
The Fairley Leadership Program is Goulburn Murray Community Leadership’s flagship program, which educates its cohort of future leaders about the challenges and opportunities impacting on the region, and equipping them with the leadership skills to make an impact into the future.
The program itself has been presented with an opportunity to demonstrate agility in the face of economic challenges after receiving a funding cut in the Victorian budget.
Ms Scott said Goulburn Murray Community Leadership, which runs the Fairley Leadership Program, was investigating other sources of income to fill the funding hole.
“We’ve been exploring this for quite a while knowing that this (losing government funding) was a possibility,” she said.
“As community leaders it’s important that we also need to be demonstrating that we can be agile.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s not doom and gloom.”
For more information on the program, visit Goulburn Murray Community Leadership at www.gmcl.org.au