Reef Ecologic, together with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ALRF) and the
Regional Australia Institute (RAI) invite regional leaders to an upcoming Future Forum in
Townsville – aimed at strengthening the region’s network of local leaders and equipping
them with the latest data for the region, so they can drive the positive changes they want
for their communities.
The upcoming Future Forum, part of the Leading Australian Resilient Communities (LARC)
program, is being led locally by Reef Ecologic. It will be held in Townsville on 21 September.
The LARC program will deliver a combination of place-based multi-day leadership sessions
to identify challenges, opportunities and what underpins them; as well as webinars; group
coaching; and support for practical, community led projects. This Future Forum in
Townsville is the first step where community stakeholders can learn how it works and how
they can participate.
ARLF CEO Matt Linnegar welcomed the collaboration with Reef Ecologic and the team’s
strong local knowledge which will help ensure the program’s success.
“The LARC program, and the partners involved, recognise that true resilience is not merely
about ‘coping’ or ‘surviving’, but about change, readiness and opportunity,” he said.
“The Charters Towers to Reef community has experienced its share of challenges. This
program is about investing in those who know their communities best to help guide its
recovery and make the most of opportunities that come their way.”
Reef Ecologic Founder and Managing Director, Dr Adam Smith, recognises that the
Townsville community has faced significant challenges with COVID, climate change and
increases to the cost of living that have impacted many local people, businesses and
communities. He appreciates the opportunity to gather together and share stories and learn
from the combined expertise and resources of the ARLF and RAI that will equip local and
regional leaders with valuable information and skills.
The one-day forum is a free event with guest speakers RAI Chief Economist, Dr Kim
Houghton behalf of the RAI, the ALRF’s Director of Learning, Andrea Hogg, and the
Australian Resilience Centre’s Paul Ryan. Opportunities as part of the RAI’s latest economic
and social data specific to the Charters Towers to Reef region will be shared.
RAI CEO Liz Ritchie encourages like-minded community members to come together for
focused and deep conversations.
“This is an opportunity for people living and working in the Charters Towers to Reef region
who are passionate about their community, to work collaboratively to build a positive future
for their region,” Liz Ritchie said.
“The forum will focus on building strong local networks, combining resources and sharing
knowledge, skills and expertise in the interest of their communities.”
To register for the Charters Towers to the Reef Future Forum, visit https://events.humanitix.com/charters-towers-to-the-reef-future-forum. To learn more about the LARC five-day leadership experience, with 26 scholarships on offer in the Charters Towers to the Reef region, click here.
LARC is delivered as part of the Australian Government’s Building Resilient Regional Leaders
Initiative (Pilot) grant.
