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Community-led resilience building training is coming to Echuca – empowering locals to lead their community through crisis and change

  • Kimberley Chu
  • Jul 17
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 8

4th July 2025


Goulburn Murray, VIC — As part of Goulburn Murray Community Leadership’s (GMCL) ongoing commitment to building regional leadership and mobilising community action, July marks the launch of the Community Action Network (CAN) Hub — an exciting new initiative delivered in partnership with The Resilience Canopy. The CAN Hub is designed to translate leadership insights into practical, local impact through the Resilience Canopy Practitioner Training in Echuca.


Fig.1 A snapshot of the 2025 Fairley Leadership Program journey — highlighting key milestones throughout the year, including place-based exploration, CAN Hubs, Advocacy Tour and Regional Mobilisation Summit.
Fig.1 A snapshot of the 2025 Fairley Leadership Program journey — highlighting key milestones throughout the year, including place-based exploration, CAN Hubs, Advocacy Tour and Regional Mobilisation Summit.

This marks the next stage following the Fairley Leadership Program’s place-based exploration — equipping locals with the tools, knowledge, and networks to turn regional insights into grassroots resilience initiatives. Community-minded individuals across the Goulburn Murray region are invited to take part in this hands-on training, designed to help build stronger, more connected, and future-ready communities.


As living costs rise, extreme weather events intensify, and social isolation grows, building community resilience has never been more critical. Nearly half of Australians live in areas with low-to-moderate climate resilience (BHNRC, 2020), facing growing social and economic challenges.


This winter, through this partnership with The Resilience Canopy, the Resilience Canopy Practitioner Training Program will be delivered in the Goulburn Murray region. It empowers everyday community members with the skills, knowledge, and connections to drive local resilience initiatives — from improving access to health services and protecting biodiversity, to enhancing emergency response and local energy security.


Participants will learn how to prioritise and deliver resilience projects by mobilising a range of resources — including financial, expert, and in-kind support — through a strong national network of partners.


More than 220 practitioners across five states have already completed this training and are now leading community-based initiatives. Goulburn Murray locals are now invited to join this growing national movement.


Training details (attendance at all sessions required)

·         Wed 23 Jul: 9:30am-12:00pm (Zoom)

·         Wed 30 Jul: 9:30am-4:30pm (Bendigo TAFE, Echuca Campus)

·         Thu 31 Jul: 9:30am-4:30pm (Bendigo TAFE, Echuca Campus)

·         Tue 5 Aug: 9:30am-12:00pm (Zoom)

 

Why train?

If you’re passionate about social connections, inclusive engagement, and preparing for the future, this is your chance to kick start a hyper-local community-led resilience journey.

Step into a rewarding volunteer role as a Resilience Canopy Practitioner.

·         Gain practical skills to strengthen your community

·         Learn a proven six-step model for lasting change

·         Connect with a national network of experts, mentors and partners

·         Lead initiatives that create real impact


This training is ideal for the Fairley Leadership Program Alumni looking to convert their leadership skills into action, or any Goulburn Murray resident passionate about helping to make communities more resilient. Training is FREE for anyone committed to applying the Canopy’s six step model in a community setting.


Places are limited.  Apply now to secure a sponsored spot and be part of this region’s resilience journey.

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