Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers, together with the Australian Rural
Leadership Foundation (ARLF) and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) invite regional
leaders to an upcoming Northern Rivers Future Forum in Ballina aimed at strengthening the
region’s network of local leaders to support and drive a positive future for their
communities.
The upcoming Future Forum is part of the Leading Australian Resilient Communities (LARC)
program, led locally by Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers. It will be
held at the Ballina Byron Islander Resort on Monday 19 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. The Northern Rivers Future
Forum in Ballina 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 RDA Northern Rivers 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 Northern Rivers community has undoubtedly experienced enormous 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.”
RDA Northern Rivers Director Tim Williamson said the combined expertise and resources of
the ARLF and RAI will equip local and regional leaders with valuable information and skills.
“Rarely does a program of the calibre of LARC come to our region. The Northern Rivers
Future forum will bring us together as a region and give us the tools to build a better region
for future generations,” he said.
The one-day forum is a free event with guest speakers Anita Kuss, presenting on behalf of
the RAI, the Australian Resilience Centre’s Paul Ryan and the ALRF Manager of Learning
Andrew Bryant. Opportunities as part of the RAI’s latest economic and social data specific to
the Northern Rivers 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 Northern Rivers 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 Northern Rivers Future Forum, visit
https://events.humanitix.com/northern-rivers-future-forum. To learn more about the LARC five-day leadership experience, with 26 scholarships on offerin the Northern Rivers region, visit https://apply-rural-leaders.smapply.io/prog/larc/. LARC is delivered as part of the Australian Government’s Building Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative (Pilot) grant.
