They came from Bega, Bombala, Pambula, Tathra, Cooma, Queanbeyan and Canberra. Eight workshops over eight months in six regional locations. Fourteen business and community leaders throughout the Capital Region of NSW and the ACT, celebrated the end of the Leaders 4 Capital regional development program in Canberra on Saturday 27 June. Sponsored by the Capital Regional Development Board and a range of local shires, the program aimed to build a network of confident, collaborative and forward-thinking leaders who could help their local towns and communities thrive into the future.
Chia Moan and Ian Colley from make stuff happen designed and facilitated a program that inspired participants to harness the skills and confidence needed to make tangible things happen in their home patch. Karen Lott from Nethercote said:
“I have felt an increased level of confidence in speaking and presenting, which developed through knowing other participants, and through gentle encouragement and support from both participants and facilitators.”
“The whole journey has been enlightening,” said Paul Pincini from Pambula. Greater confidence has helped Emma Pieper from Theordore, ACT, “to take more risks and to put myself out there a little more.”
Millingandi resident, Ivan McKay, summed up the mood of the group: “I can make a difference in my local community whether employed for that purpose or not.”
And all 14 regional leaders have done just that. Things like community co-operatives, growers’ markets, improved community facilities, re-vegetation and environmental initiatives, women of vision leadership awards and a youth cafe and meeting place, are just some of the projects that have come to fruition over the eight month program.
Why do some regional towns thrive while others languish? This was a central theme behind the program’s popular Regional Radar series. Ian Colley describes how it worked: “Participants were able to get out and take the pulse of the various regional centres we visited throughout the program. Pacing the streets and asking people what they thought worked or didn’t work about their town; meeting local business and community leaders; visiting local artists and craftspeople – we were able to build up a profile and gain insights into what makes a town tick and how some have energy and focus while others seem to be struck in an old groove.”
One of the real and lasting benefits of bringing smart motivated people together through a medium like the make stuff happen leadership program, is the support and confidence they gain by working on things together. “Leadership can be lonely, especially in small towns, ” reflects Chia Moan. “It’s important to bring people together in a way that builds strong networks, energy and individual confidence. If you can do that then anything is possible.”