Leadership school under way
Published on 21 March 2014
Glenys Broad is quite sure this year is going to prove a real eye-opener.
Mrs Broad, from Durham Ox, is one of two representatives from Loddon Shire to sign up for the 2014 Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program.
Along with Chloe Armstrong, of Serpentine, she is among the 26 participants from eight shires across the region who will embrace the program over the next nine months.
Facilitated by Community Leadership Loddon Murray, the course has been successfully developing leaders for sustainable communities across central and north-west Victoria since 1998, with more than 350 graduates across the region.
It aims to build the skills, knowledge and networks of participants so they can make a difference within their own communities, and at a regional and industry level.
The year’s program was launched in Charlton last month and, since then, has taken the group to Maldon for a weekend retreat plus a day’s abseiling at Melville Caves.
Mrs Broad said she was excited by the prospects for the year.
“My husband, Glen, and I are dairy farmers at Durham Ox and I’ve lived in the same house for 41 years,” she said.
“This sort of thing is definitely a first for me and I just know it’s going to be good.
“I joined the program on the recommendation of Cr Cheryl McKinnon, representing the dairy industry and helped by sponsorship from the Gardiner Foundation.
“Everyone is different and coming from a wide mix of jobs – this is sure to be a great experience.”
Chloe Armstrong, a mother of two young children, first heard about the program from Loddon Economic Development Officer Christine Coombes and later received a $7,000 sponsorship for the course from Council.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to further improve my skills and I am most grateful for the scholarship,” she said.
One of the first activities for this year’s participants was a visit to Melville Caves last week for some abseiling.
“That was a huge challenge for me,” Mrs Armstrong said.
“I knew from the start it wasn't my cup of tea, yet somehow you all convinced me to get up on that rock.”
After their time at the caves, the group travelled to Bridgewater for presentations by author Carol Fox and Cr Colleen Condliffe, herself a former LMCLP participant.
Next on the program are a visit to ABC radio in Bendigo, a scenic flight and the “Vision of the Region” annual dinner, where Minister for Agriculture and Food Security and Minister for Water Peter Walsh is special guest.
“I’m looking forward to lots about this program, especially the opportunity to go to Canberra and speak with leading politicians,” Mrs Armstrong said.
Loddon Shire is a long-standing sponsor of CLLM, with an annual contribution to that organisation of $7,000.
CAPTION: Glenys Broad, left, and Chloe Armstrong are Loddon Shire’s representatives in this year’s intake for the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program.