Media Release - 6th March 2025
Photo of the 2025 Fairley Leadership Program participants at the Program Launch at Cactus Country
The 2025 Fairley Leadership Program commenced with a dynamic two-day Opening Intensive Retreat, bringing together 20 emerging leaders from across the Goulburn Murray region. Designed to inspire, challenge, and connect, the retreat set the foundation for a transformative year of leadership development, the immersive experience was held at The Paddock at Ulupna near Strathmerton, and offered a deeply reflective experience close to nature, hosted by Fairley Alumni, John Hall.
During their stay, they ventured to Bangerang Country to experience a cultural tour of the Bullinginya Dreaming Walk, hosted by Uncle Dozer and his daughters, Ji and Ki from Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Education (ACHE). This experience focused on the unique history of the region and the strong partnership with Barooga Sporties, that has allowed for an award-winning collaboration to showcase the beautiful landscapes and powerful stories of resilience and love for Country.
The Fairley Leadership Program, known for building community leadership capacity, empowers passionate Community members to ‘lead where they live’. Participants in the program are equipped with strategies to address local issues, engage with diverse stakeholders, and drive initiatives that enhance community well-being.
The retreat concluded with a celebratory Launch Luncheon at the iconic Cactus Country, where the new cohort was officially introduced to the community. The event provided an opportunity to acknowledge and thank the program's valued sponsors, whose support enables the continuation of this renowned leadership initiative.
Over the two-day retreat, participants engaged in a series of workshops and discussions led by experienced facilitators, focusing on self-awareness and leadership styles. The retreat also fostered networking opportunities, allowing participants to form strong connections that will support them throughout their leadership journey.
“We are thrilled to welcome the 2025 cohort and to witness the energy and passion they bring to the program,” said Jesse Mitchell, Executive Officer of Goulburn Murray Community Leadership. “The Opening Retreat and Launch is an essential step in their journey, and we are grateful to our sponsors, supporters and alumni for making this experience special for this year’s cohort.”
The Fairley Leadership Program, delivered by Goulburn Murray Community Leadership, has a proud history of developing regional leaders who go on to drive positive change in their communities. The Launch event was hosted by 2024 graduates, with Ariyana Gant as MC and Lynn Haswell and Callum Phillips as keynote speakers, passing of the baton to this year’s cohort, they will now embark on an enriching year of learning, site visits, and discussions with key decision-makers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact.