Rural leaders across Australia will soon have access to leadership training and a mentoring program with a focus on building drought resilience, with the launch today of the Future Drought Fund’s Drought Resilience Leaders Program (DRLP).
Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) CE Matt Linnegar said the DRLP, launched today by Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud, would be a game-changer for our regions and their drought resilience.
“While we cannot escape drought or the need to adapt to a changing climate, we can equip our rural and regional leaders with the skills, knowledge and networks required to respond to and manage the impacts,” he said.
“Every agriculture-dependent community in Australia faces different challenges, so it’s vital the program is tailored for each region. At the same time, we know that great things can be achieved by sharing knowledge and networks, across the country and this program enables both.
“The program delivers a training course for people who are committed to their region’s future and want to boost their skills, knowledge and expertise in leadership and drought resilience. It’s available in 12 regions across Australia.
“After completing the course participants then have the opportunity to give back to their community, through a grant program, designed to share the knowledge they have gained.
“In addition, a mentoring program for farmers is also available where we build a culture of learning and knowledge sharing across all regions.
“ARLF has a long history of developing leadership capability and we are proud to partner with the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and our partners to deliver this critical program which will build drought resilience in our current and future leaders.”
The Drought Resilience Leaders Training Course is available in the following participating regions:
- Goulburn Valley, VIC
- Central West Qld;
- Northern Wheatbelt, WA
- Gascoyne- Murchison, WA
- Mallee, VIC
- South West Qld
- Eyre Peninsula – West, SA
- Murray Lands, SA
- Western NSW
- North West Slopes & Plains, NSW
- Katherine region, NT and;
- North East Tasmania.
ARLF is collaborating with key partners to deliver the Future Drought Fund’s Drought Resilience Leaders Program:
- Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal
- Rural Economies Centre of Excellence
- Australian Resilience Centre
- Centre for Applied Climate Sciences – University of Southern Queensland
- Charles Sturt University
- The National Farmers Federation.
For more information, including dates that applications are open, join our mailing list, email droughtresilience@rural-leaders.org.au, visit the webpage or call 02 6281 0680.
Media contact:
Lesley Major 0419 288 284
Karen Freer 0403 447 344
