By Matt Linnegar, ARLF chief executive
The ARLF team would like to express our gratitude for the contribution Outback Initiatives has made to the Australian Rural leadership Program for over a decade.
The ‘Kimberley session’ as it was known to many, was almost exclusively the first session of our flagship program and as such was formative in terms of a participant’s introduction to the program, our form of experiential learning and to others in their cohort.
Many past participants reflect fondly on this experience and the role it played in making the ARLP an impactful and at times life changing experience. Outback Initiatives has played a key role in achieving this impact.
We also want to recognise those we have worked closely with through Outback Initiatives and its predecessor organisations. Firstly, to Sheryll Fisher and ARLF Associate Karim Haddad, a huge thanks and our enduring respect for your work with us and the many ARLP participants over many years. Also, a special mention to Colin Hendrie and the many facilitators and support staff in the Kimberley, many of whom are part of the alumni and some of which have been part of the program for over a decade. Their professionalism and adaptability when challenges arose contributed to the success of the ARLP program.
While the outdoor experiential session of the ARLP will occur in a different place with different people for the next three years, we will not forget the legacy created together with Outback Initiatives and all involved.