October 5, 2015
Applications are now open for the 2016 South Burnett Community Leadership Program.
Organiser Georgie Somerset said this annual community-run program was made possible through industry, community and individual supporters across the region and was tailored for the South Burnett.
The focus was on strengthening links across our region as well as individual skills.
Application forms are available online
“The two-day residential sessions develop leadership skills with practical tools to use in everyday situations for work, business and family life,” Mrs Somerset said.
“Over the past two years we have had participants from all walks of life: industry, government, the community sector and agriculture.
“Some have been long-term residents of our region, while others are new. The program is designed to develop the personal effectiveness of each individual, so your background and experience is only one component, and people don’t need to be in a traditional ‘leadership’ role to benefit.”
South Burnett CTC CEO Nina Temperton has supported staff to attend each SBCLP program.
“The program helps our younger, rising staff to recognise the importance of good leadership and their own leadership potential – both essential for any organisation to continually improve and achieve,” Mrs Temperton said.
“The program has increased their effectiveness in the workplace, delivering benefits for other members of their team as well as the business overall.”
Heather Ellis, president of Vision 21 and a former primary producer in the South Burnett, co-founded the program because she believes the South Burnett has great potential.
“Through the Building Rural Leaders Program, I gained skills and confidence to make big improvements in my life, and through this program, I can offer this to others,” Ms Ellis said.
“Over the past two years we have had over 35 people attend the program, with participants gaining so much from the experience, highlighting skills and confidence that have helped them to make big improvements in their lives.
“We have fantastic community leaders in the South Burnett, which is one of the reasons our region has been able to manage through difficult periods over the past 10 years. Recovery experts have identified that communities who have a leadership program in place are more likely to recover quickly from disaster events and to have a stronger economic base.
“Through this program, you can learn how to be effective in a really practical way while building working relationships that can then lead to building a stronger region for us all over the long term.”
Mrs Somerset said the SBCLP was again aiming to both support businesses to send staff as well as have a series of scholarships for the 2016 program.
“The program will be delivered in the Bunya Mountains in February and March 2016 in two residential sessions,” she said.
“There are then two-one day programs later in the year to gain leadership skills and work with previous participants of the SBCLP.
“There are many ways a business or organisations can be involved in the SB Community Leadership Program, including nominating a participant, offering speakers who can present on topics relevant to the program, providing a scholarship for a participant or providing donations in kind, for example: contribute to program costs, sponsor accommodation or catering, sponsoring administration or publications.”
- External link: 2016 Program Details
