Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program
The Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program will challenge you to develop the skills, networks, knowledge and mindset you need to lead your community into a resilient future.
Drive positive change
Delivered in three sessions over six to eight weeks, you will begin by exploring concepts of adaptive leadership, change theory, self-awareness, personal and community resilience. From there, your group will move on to discuss climate science, problem-solving and creativity. And finally, scenario planning, influence and network leadership.
Join a network of forward-thinkers
Support resilience action in your community through Community Extension Grants. Receive up to $4,000 for community projects that focus on at least one of these outcomes*
- Building long-term drought resilience and enhanced public good in agriculture dependent communities.
- Benefitting a large number of people from a diverse range of social groups.
- Encouraging inclusion and participation of under-represented or marginalised groups.

Want to know more? Express your interest.
Select your region to find out more and apply
Open to people from all industries and backgrounds 18 years and older.
Learning outcomes
Community
Understand your community and region at a deeper level.
Resilience
Learn how to embed and apply resilience thinking.
Connection
Gather, collaborate and learn with others.
Leadership
Build leadership skills and networks.
Networks
Join the national network of Australian Rural Leadership Foundation alumni.
Impact
Go back to your community equipped to grow its capacity to adapt to challenges like drought and changing climate.
Hear from program participants
The first session was two days on zoom, (it was) just really inspiring to be honest. Just coming together and talking about what do we mean by resilience, what do we mean by leadership and how can we network in the Goulburn Valley area and make sure we do position ourselves as thought leaders and change agents to become more resilient when we talk to one another about natural disasters?
Werner Vogels
Neuropsychologist, Goulburn Valley
All people in all sorts of ways are impacted by the lack of water. We all need water, it’s the one common theme through all beings, all people, everyone, everywhere.
So I think the benefits of learning about how different people at different levels are impacted can only be advantageous and have a ripply effect.
Donna Taggart
Social Worker, Goulburn Valley
KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED?
If you have a colleague, friend or family member that might benefit from this program, let them know with our shoulder tap.
Or download our stakeholder kit to share the Drought Resilient Leaders Mentoring Program with your organisation’s audience. This kit includes social media tiles, key messages and content to share in your newsletters.
Frequently asked questions
*All applications must demonstrate co-contributions, either in-kind or from other funding sources, and broad community support. Participants must have completed the entire program.