BRUMBY GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT EMERGING LEADERS

Friday, 29 August 2008
More than 200 community leaders from regional and rural Victoria gathered in Melbourne today to develop and broaden their skills with the assistance of a $60,000 Brumby Government grant.
Addressing the inaugural A Leadership State! conference in Melbourne, Premier John Brumby said the grant demonstrated the Victorian Government’s commitment to fostering leadership development in regional and rural Victoria.

“Our Government is taking action to support the development of strong, dynamic leaders in regional and rural Victoria because leadership is vital to ensuring our regions continue to grow and thrive,” Mr Brumby said.

“By bringing participants from a variety of leadership programs together, the A Leadership State! conference is providing a unique opportunity for Victoria’s emerging leaders to work together and learn from each other. 

“Leadership brings people together in times of change, it captures community spirit and vitality and it is through local, community driven leadership programs that country Victoria will continue to build a bright future.”

Participants of the A Leadership State! conference have been drawn from seven regional community leadership programs, the statewide Williamson Community Leadership Program and the Leadership Plus program under the Leadership Victoria program.

The event is running across two days and includes site visits to key Victorian institutions, workshops, presentations by established leaders and networking opportunities.

Mr Brumby, Treasurer John Lenders, and Regional and Rural Development, Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan; are among leaders addressing the A Leadership Conference!

Ms Allan said community leadership programs were an investment in regional and rural Victoria’s future which the Victorian Government was committed to supporting.

“Community leadership programs encourage and support leadership, helping to develop leaders with a broadened sense of self and understanding of the diversity of community,” Ms Allan said
 
“The connection of Victoria’s future leaders with each other and with established leaders will promote mutual understanding and spirited discussion of pressing issues and is perhaps even more vital than ever as regional and rural areas address challenges such as drought and climate change.

“Our Government is supporting leadership development in a range of ways – particularly through our Provincial Victoria Leadership Skills Program – which is provides grants to support leadership initiatives across the state. 

“This program is a key part of Moving Forward, our $502 million blueprint to make provincial Victoria the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family.”