Building Community leadership capacity in Snowy Valleys

The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is bringing a free regional leadership
development program to the people of Snowy Valleys.

The eight-day program, entitled Regenerate Snowy Valleys, runs across four days in
September and then again at the end of November. A group of 24 people will have the
chance to experience one-of-a-kind immersive leadership training that aims to build long-
term community capacity. Participants will expand their network, be encouraged to think and act
differently when it comes to practicing leadership, all while generating solutions to potentially complex
situations in their community.

The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Chief Executive Matt Linnegar said the
program was an experience that offered networking, leadership skills and personal growth.
“Our regional leadership development programs bring a diverse group of people from
within one region together, immersing them in challenges facing their region and helping
them to discover their own strategies to find solutions,” he said.

Regenerate Snowy Valleys is suitable for participants aged 25 to 55 from all walks of life.
The program is free of charge for participants thanks to joint funding from the Australian
and NSW Governments under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund and is
supported by the Minderoo Foundation’s Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative.
“The Bushfire Economic Recovery Fund invests in projects that will support job retention
and creation in bushfire impacted regions, strengthen community resilience and reduce the
impact of future natural disasters,” Mr Linnegar said.

“Regenerate Snowy Valleys is essentially an investment in people who are interested in
creating opportunities for others and want to bring people together to create a better future
for their community.” When it comes to participants, Mr Linnegar said there was no ideal candidate.
“Anyone can participate in this program – it’s not just for people in traditional leadership roles,” he
said.

The two sessions, four days and three nights are residential in nature and all take place
within the Snowy Valleys area. The learning is not assessment or competency based,
there is not right or wrong. Participants learn through challenges and enquiry, walking
away with new skills that can help them build social capital, achieve goals and face
challenges, not just personally but for the entire community.

“If you are curious about experiencing challenges, you are a mover and shaker or a quiet
community champion who takes the reins when things get tough, or someone who wants
to tackle challenges within your community – this program is for you.

“It’s about widening and strengthening your local network and creating connections outside
of the region that enable you to grow your impact and find solutions,” Mr Linnegar said.
Mr Linnegar said the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation provides experience and
connections like few other organisations in the country.

“The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation has been developing leadership programs
for almost 30 years and we have come a long way from catering for people in traditional
and established leadership roles to harnessing the potential of all people in rural, regional
and remote Australia,” he said.

“The core of what we do is exposing people to situations and ideas that will enable them to
see a bigger picture, a different perspective and ultimately have the courage and
approaches to put their ideas into action and take others with them.” Applications are open from
6 June until 18 July 2022.
For more information please phone local contact Kate Howarth on 0447 006 913.“Regenerate Snowy Valleys is essentially an investment in people who are interested in
creating opportunities for others and want to bring people together to create a better future
for their community.”
When it comes to participants, Mr Linnegar said there was no ideal candidate. “Anyone
can participate in this program – it’s not just for people in traditional leadership roles,” he
said.
The two sessions, four days and three nights are residential in nature and all take place
within the Snowy Valleys area. The learning is not assessment or competency based,
there is not right or wrong. Participants learn through challenges and enquiry, walking
away with new skills that can help them build social capital, achieve goals and face
challenges, not just personally but for the entire community.
“If you are curious about experiencing challenges, you are a mover and shaker or a quiet
community champion who takes the reins when things get tough, or someone who wants
to tackle challenges within your community – this program is for you.
“It’s about widening and strengthening your local network and creating connections outside
of the region that enable you to grow your impact and find solutions,” Mr Linnegar said.
Mr Linnegar said the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation provides experience and
connections like few other organisations in the country.
“The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation has been developing leadership programs
for almost 30 years and we have come a long way from catering for people in traditional
and established leadership roles to harnessing the potential of all people in rural, regional
and remote Australia,” he said.
“The core of what we do is exposing people to situations and ideas that will enable them to
see a bigger picture, a different perspective and ultimately have the courage and
approaches to put their ideas into action and take others with them.”
Applications are open from 6 June until 18 July 2022 via the Australian Rural Leadership
Foundations’ website rural-leaders.org.au. For more information please phone local
contact Kate Howarth on 0447 006913.