The State Government is expanding the Forestry Transition Program through a new Community Leadership Program which will help create emerging leaders in communities of the Yarra Ranges. northern Victoria and Gippsland.
Committee for Gippsland and the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship are two established leadership providers that will deliver the tailored leadership programs, aimed at fostering a new generation of community leaders in these former native timber towns.
The programs will develop local leaders that are equipped for navigating change, leading their communities, and shaping the future for their regions.
In northern Victoria, the Lead a New Future for Your Community Program will support the five priority communities with Local Development Strategies in the region, which includes Powelltown, Yarra Junction and Warburton with a core program for 20 participants and further workshops for an additional 100 participants.
“We’re looking forward to unearthing new opportunities for the communities of Murrindindi, Upper Yarra Ranges, Benalla, Corryong and Koondrook,” Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship co-founder and chief executive officer Matt Pfalert said.
“We understand that navigating change can be challenging for rural communities. We also know that supporting emerging leaders and building an entrepreneurial mindset can unlock new, localised futures that are community-led and self-reliant.”
In Gippsland the Building Resilient Forestry Communities Program will support up to 20 program participants from the six priority forestry communities with Local Development Strategies in the region, including Noojee, Yarram, Heyfield, Orbost, Nowa Nowa and Swifts Creek.
Currently, 11 priority native timber communities are being provided medium to long-term support to identify new economic opportunities and create jobs through Local Development Strategy projects, the Community Development Fund and the Community Leadership Program.
More than $10 million in funding has already been awarded through the Local Development Strategy and Community Development Fund to support native timber communities to transition successfully.
