Community, Culture and Collaboration at the Heart of Shepparton Leadership Gathering
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
21st May 2026
Shepparton, 14th May 2026 -- Shepparton recently hosted participants from the Fairley Leadership Program for an immersive leadership day focused on community leadership, cultural identity, inclusion and the future of regional communities.
The gathering brought together emerging leaders from across the Goulburn Murray Region, representing healthcare, education, local government, agriculture, business and community services. Held across key Shepparton locations, the program provided participants with deeper insight into the region’s strengths, opportunities and challenges.
Throughout the day, participants heard from local leaders and organisations working in education, youth support, community services, multicultural inclusion and regional advocacy. A strong theme was the importance of place‑based leadership and collaborative, cross‑sector approaches to addressing complex regional issues.
Past Fairley participants Craig Mangan FF’20, Vicki Scott FF’15 and Leading Senior Constable Leigh Johnson FF’22 shared reflections on the evolving nature of leadership in regional communities.
Craig Mangan encouraged participants to consider their influence on young people, noting, “We need to be a positive voice in kids’ ears.” Leading Senior Constable Leigh Johnson added, “To be a leader you need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Speakers including Amanda McCulloch from the Greater Shepparton Foundation, Craig (Mangan) from Geared4Careers and Laura Baker from La Trobe University Shepparton highlighted the importance of early intervention, strong partnerships and accessible education and employment pathways for young people.
Laura emphasised the importance of education in the region, and that we all play a role in shaping positive education pathways, saying ‘Sharing your education story is powerful, and can inspire others to think about what is possible with education.’
Vicki encouraged participants to back themselves as leaders, reminding them that, “Confidence is built in the doing. It isn’t a personality trait, it’s a muscle.”
A joint session with participants from the Williamson Leadership Program strengthened connections between current Fairley participants, Williamson participants, Fairley Fellows and local stakeholders.
A highlight was a keynote from Yorta Yorta Elder and respected community leader Dr Paul Briggs AO, who spoke powerfully about cultural identity, belonging and the future of regional communities.
He urged participants to adopt long‑term, inclusive approaches to development, saying, “We need to strive for excellence for the region.”
Together, participants from both programs also heard from Leading Senior Constable Leigh Johnson as he discussed his role as Victoria Police Multicultural Liaison Officer and highlighted the importance of trust, cultural understanding and strong relationships in building resilient, connected communities.
The shared program continued into the evening with a joint dinner and keynote from Suzanna Sheed AM, former MP, who reflected on regional leadership, advocacy and the importance of strong local representation. Her message reinforced the need for long‑term thinking, collaboration and strong community voice in shaping the future of regional Victoria.
Across the day, discussions highlighted leadership, resilience and collaboration while showcasing the Goulburn Murray region as a diverse, innovative and community-focused part of regional Victoria.
The gathering reaffirmed the vital role programs such as Fairley and Williamson play in developing capable, connected and community‑minded leaders committed to strengthening regional Victoria.
This media release was developed by Leadership Group 3 of the 2026 Fairley Leadership Program: Aaron Cuthbert, Aziz Bhatti, Jane Bearham, Linda Tubb.
