A launch pad for local leaders

THE Committee for Ballarat’s 2022 community leadership program is underway and is aiming to support its latest cohort in shaping the city’s future.

Future Shapers program lead Ellen Jackson said 18 people are participating, interested in learning more about the broader region’s issues and challenges, innovations, and opportunities.

“The program is a launching point for their greater involvement in community leadership beyond this year,” she said.

“We use a participant-led model, so they drive what they want to learn, hear, and see regarding regional priorities, which could be anything from homelessness and housing, to renewable energy, to accessing healthy food and activities.”

Some participants represent a range of local organisations like Central Highlands Water, Federation University, Haymes Paints and Lake Imaging, while others are self-employed.

However, all are based within the City of Ballarat or Pyrenees, Hepburn, Golden Plains and Moorabool shires.

“It really is a good cross-section of private and public enterprise, not-for-profits and small business,” Ms Jackson said.

“What they all have in common is an interest in getting a better understanding of our community, and building networks across it as well.

“Our prospective and new participants tell us they’re seeking to get to know other people that they might not otherwise meet, but after networking within the program, they might then become colleagues or collaborate later on.”

So far, the “engaged, enthusiastic, curious” cohort of 18 have experienced an opening retreat in Melbourne, which included a visit to State Parliament, hosted by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison.

The participants will get together once a month for 10 months, often visiting industry sites for immersive experiences.

In 2021 for example, trips to the McCains solar farm, Uniting Care, and Beaufort Hospital were part of the experience.

Towards the end of the Future Shapers process, participants will lead their own projects within the community.

The Committee for Ballarat has run their community leadership program for 17 years and has over 400 alumni across the region.