We’re thrilled to welcome new members to the ARLF alumni network. The latest Australian Rural Leadership Program’s Cohort have recently completed their final session in Alice Springs and officially graduated in mid-September.
As a new alum, our advice is simple—stay engaged! The strength of our network depends on active participation. We look forward to supporting you as your leadership journey continues and can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
We’d also like to thank family members, sponsors, ARLF alumni, and ARLF Board member Mena Waller for traveling to Alice Springs to celebrate. Special thanks to the ARLP team, especially Learning Manager Simone Carroll-Germech, for delivering such a high-quality experience. This cohort is the first to complete the revised ARLP format, and we’re proud of their achievements.
Webinar opportunity: Adaptive Leadership in Action
We’re excited to offer a special webinar for alumni featuring renowned author Julia Fabris McBride from the Kansas Leadership Centre (KLC). Julia will share how leadership skills can create real community change.
Titled “Rolling the Wheel – Leadership Development as Momentum for Civic Engagement,” the session will highlight how KLC’s adaptive leadership framework has helped tackle issues like reducing children in foster care, building rural entrepreneurial ecosystems, and supporting communities through COVID-19.
When: Tuesday, October 15th
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm AEST
Cost: Free (limited to the first 30 registrants)
ARLF launches new Lunch & Learn series
Introducing our new “Lunch & Learn” series, exclusively for alumni! These virtual sessions, held every two months, are designed to inspire, energize, and keep you connected with fresh leadership insights and stories from fellow ARLF alumni.
Our first session kicks off on Thursday, November 14th with Tanya Stevenson, who will share her work on the “Read Bear” project, improving children’s literacy. We’ll also have a casual chat to wrap things up.
Keep an eye out on our socials for more information over the coming weeks. Please get in touch is you have any suggestions for future speakers or topics!
ARLF alumni gatherings: Melbourne, Sydney, and Toowoomba
We’re hosting alumni gatherings in Melbourne, Sydney, and Toowoomba—great opportunities to reconnect!
Melbourne Gathering
Date: Wednesday, October 23rd
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Level 6, 627 Chapel St, South Yarra
Cost: $25 (drinks and nibbles included)
Sydney Gathering
Date: Tuesday, November 12th
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Telstra Sydney Customer Insights Centre, Level 2, George St
Cost: $25 (drinks and nibbles included)
Both events feature Brianna Casey, CEO of Foodbank, who will discuss policy reforms related to food waste. These gatherings are excellent opportunities to reconnect with local alumni.
Toowoomba Gathering
Date: Thursday, November 14th
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: 153 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
Cost: $20 (nibbles and share plates included)
Virtual catch-ups: reconnect with other ARLF alumni
We recently had a virtual catch-up with ARLP Cohort 24, and 18 alumni joined the conversation. Grant Melrose shared, “It was great to reconnect with old friends and hear their new stories.”
Cohort 24 is now planning a group trip to Ningaloo Reef in WA within the next 18 months! It just takes one conversation to start something exciting.
If you’re interested in organizing a virtual catch-up with your cohort, reach out to me at julias@rural-leaders.org.au.
Self-determination and First Nations governance
Last week, we reached out to our First Nations ARLF alumni to reaffirm our commitment to creating leadership pathways that align with opportunities for First Nations people across ARLP programs. The ARLF recognizes the importance of self-determination and evolving governance models.
Our goal is to ensure cultural safety and uphold First Nations self-determination at all levels of governance. Over the next few months, we’ll explore new models, with input from First Nations alumni.
The process includes:
- Desktop research on governance models
- Online focus groups with alumni
- An in-person gathering of First Nations alumni in Brisbane on November 7-8
If you’re a First Nations alum and want to be involved, express your interest here. For any questions, reach out to me at julias@rural-leaders.org.au.
ARLF alumni collaboration: Suicide Prevention Workshops
Suicide is a significant public health issue, with over 3,000 deaths annually in Australia. September 10th marked Suicide Prevention Month, a time to reduce stigma, advocate for policy change, and remember those affected.
We want to highlight the work of alumni Andrew Bryant and May Chi in this space. After meeting in the “Leadership for Our Region” program, May and her husband Daniel secured funding for suicide prevention workshops and invited Andrew to help deliver them. Together, they’ve provided training to over 70 residents on the Fraser Coast through the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
It’s incredible to see how alumni collaborations continue to make an impact. For more information on suicide prevention, visit Suicide Prevention Australia.
Help ARLF alum working to strengthening rural health
Alum Susi Tegen, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance, has launched a campaign to improve health outcomes in rural, remote, and regional Australia. The campaign advocates for:
- A 10-year National Rural Health Strategy
- A $1 billion National Rural Health Fund
- A Rural Innovation Hub to drive knowledge sharing and innovation
We need your help to make this a reality. Please sign the e-petition—it takes just two minutes, and every signature counts! There’s only one week left, so don’t wait.
