Question 1

What is the Fairley Leadership Program?

Answer

The Fairley Leadership Program – operated by Goulburn Murray Community Leadership – provides an opportunity for people to develop leadership skills, explore the major issues facing the region and assist positive change. Each year, the Fairley Leadership Program is offered to 25 inspiring regional leaders. For more information, visit the about page.

Question 2

Who can participate?

Answer

Anyone can apply to participate in the Fairley Leadership Program. Candidates should: Be able to demonstrate leadership potential; Show a genuine interest in community affairs; Have the potential to commit their time and energy to the community; and Be ready to accept the time commitment required
for completing the Program. Potential participants complete an application form, attend an interview and if selected are offered a place in the upcoming program.

Question 3

Is there an age limit for participation in the Fairley Leadership Program?

Answer

Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to apply for the Fairley Leadership Program.

Question 4

Does my application guarantee me a place in the Program?

Answer

We usually receive more applications than we have places available on the Program, so some people miss out each year. Geographical distribution, cultural diversity, gender, etc. are taken into account by the selection panel along with your personal experience, potential and attributes. If you miss out on a place, you should consider applying again in the future.

Question 5

How much does the Program cost?

Answer

The 2021 Fairley Leadership Program course fee is $6,000 plus GST. A number of scholarships are available to ensure diversity within the group. No individual or organisation should be discouraged from applying for financial reasons. Regular payments can be negotiated and, in some instances, sponsorship can be sought to assist with this fee. Please call the Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Luscombe, on 0427 265 306 if you would like to discuss your potential eligibility before applying.

Question 6

Is the Fairley Leadership Program a Business Management Course?

Answer

No, the Fairley Leadership Program is a community leadership program. Participants undertake a year long program where they primarily learn from existing leaders about the issues impacting on our region and the opportunities for positive change. Through their interaction with leaders at a Local, State and National level, the participants are exposed to the ethics and values, personal attributes and individual styles of the leaders. Fairley Leadership is very much a hands-on leadership experience with little time spent learning or comparing academic theories.

Question 7

Will it matter if I can't always attend?

Answer

The Fairley Leadership Program requires a strong commitment for the duration of the 11 months. The launch, graduation, opening and closing retreats are compulsory. In order to graduate from the Program, a minimum attendance rate of 80% is required for all seminars, a small number of dinners and study tours to Melbourne and Canberra.

Question 8

When will you set the dates for next year?

Answer

Draft dates will be announced in November. Every endeavour will be made to stick to these dates, but there are some variables that are outside our control e.g. Parliamentary sitting times, that may cause a shift of dates. If you plan to apply to the program and have key events planned for the year such as your wedding or a major overseas holiday you should mention this during the interview as it may be able to factored into the equation.

Question 9

How do I apply?

Answer

All applications must be submitted online before the closing deadline via our website form.

Question 10

How long does the Program go for?

Answer

The program is intensive and runs for 11 months.

Question 11

How do participants get selected to take part in the program?

Answer

Participants are selected according to a comprehensive list of criteria including a demonstrated capacity for leadership, broad ranging interests and the potential to sustain positions of substantial responsibility in the community. Candidates should: hold a decision-making role in employment or extensive community experience; have more than five years work or community experience with a still-developing career; demonstrate a strong interest in community affairs and a commitment to the community; and be ready to accept the time commitment and challenges of the program year and ongoing community involvement. People from rural and isolated communities, disadvantaged backgrounds, Aboriginal and ethnically diverse communities are actively encouraged to apply.