Premier

Bigger, Better Regional Leadership Program Unveiled

10 August 2015

The Regional Community Leadership Program has a bigger, better future under the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, today opened the Regional Community Leadership Program’s Annual Conference in Geelong and launched the new, expanded program.

The Labor Government is providing $8 million over the next four years through the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund to support 10 leadership programs across regional Victoria.

The funding represents an additional investment of $2 million compared to what the program received under the previous Coalition Government.

The 10 programs, now including the Rivers and Ranges Community Leadership Program, provide leadership development initiatives through workshops, presentations by guest speakers, field trips and events.

The program will fund initiatives that support the development of emerging leaders and strengthen existing community leadership capabilities.

There will also be a greater emphasis on increasing participation by community leaders in significant regional projects, processes and planning.

More than 2700 people across regional Victoria have graduated from the program, which builds participants' skills, knowledge, confidence and networks so they can make a difference in their local community, within their region and at a state and national level.

A survey by the Victorian Regional Community Leadership Programs Secretariat found alumni contributed about $13 million annually in voluntary activity, with more than 1300 community organisations directly benefiting.

A study commissioned by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal has recommended the Victorian leadership program model be replicated across Australia.

For more information about the Regional Community Leadership Program visit www.vrclp.com.auExternal Link

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

“The Regional Community Leadership Program has helped communities become stronger and more resilient – that’s why we’re extending and increasing the funding by a third so this fantastic program can continue.”

“We’re supporting our regional communities to be the best they can be.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens

"The Committee for Geelong's Leaders for Geelong program is creating strong networks of local people who understand the opportunities and challenges facing our region and have the skills to do something about them."

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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