Fairley Leadership cohort explores leadership, connection and community
Updated: Aug 24
12th August 2026
Barooga, 2026 – Participants in the 2026 Fairley Leadership Program have been challenged to turn leadership learning into community action during a Place-Based Day focused on connection, collaboration and regional responsibility.
Held on Yorta Yorta and Bangarang Country, the day brought together regional leaders to explore cross-border collaboration, local governance, community organisations, healthcare, volunteering and First Nations partnerships.
Opening the day, Andrew Fairley AM reflected on the origins of the Fairley Leadership Program and the importance of developing leadership capacity within regional communities.
In 1997, Ross McPherson approached Andrew with concerns that regional leaders were being drawn away from regional areas to Melbourne. Together, they supported the establishment of the program to strengthen leadership in the region. Andrew challenged participants to see Fairley as more than simply a good experience, encouraging them to consider what they can contribute as a result of the opportunity.
Andrew challenged participants to consider both a vision for their professional life and for their personal aspirations, so they had a clear path to know what success looked like for them.
The theme of leadership through action continued with Dr Graeme Emonson PSM, Government-appointed Administrator of Moira Shire Council, and Dr Julia Cornwell McKean, the first Indigenous female Mayor of Berrigan Shire Council, who shared their leadership journeys and explored the realities of working across the Victorian–New South Wales border.
The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration on issues affecting cross-border communities, including water, health, infrastructure and road safety, with a focus on what needs to be achieved rather than which side of the border an issue sits on.
Stacey Taylor, Fairley Fellow and Founder of Women of the Murray, and Nathan Bibby, former Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Executive Officer and CEO of Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism & Business, then shared their experiences of community leadership and connection. Women of the Murray is a not-for-profit network stretching from predominantly Echuca/Moama to Yarrawonga/Mulwala, with the largest following in Moira Shire. The network is focused on bringing women together, providing strong female role models and helping local communities thrive. Stacey spoke about creating a model that makes volunteering more accessible, with governance managed by five directors while regional coordinators can focus on bringing people together through local gatherings and events.
Nathan encouraged participants to think about what comes next after the Fairley Leadership Program, reminding them not to panic and to give themselves time to allow family and work to catch up.
Nathan encouraged the cohort to remain open to opportunities, seek feedback and have conversations with people they trust, while considering a simple question when making decisions: “Will it make my community better?”
Strategic thinking was the focus of the next session with Dr Mark Ashcroft, CEO of NCN Health, who introduced the concept of Strategy as Practice and encouraged participants to keep strategic plans agile and turn organisational values into practical “I will” statements.
The day concluded with Helen from Sporties Barooga sharing the story of Bullanginya Dreaming, Australia’s only permanent Indigenous light show. She described the 1.8-kilometre walk as an “art sculpture gallery in the forest” and explained that Bullanginya Dreaming reflects living culture and stories that continue.
The day gave the cohort plenty to reflect on, with one message coming through consistently across the sessions: leadership is not about having a title. It is about taking responsibility, building relationships and being willing to contribute.
For the 2026 Fairley Leadership cohort, the Place-Based Day offered more than insight into the Moira and Berrigan regions. It asked participants to consider how leadership is practised locally - through service, collaboration, cultural respect and a willingness to act where their communities need them most.
About the Fairley Leadership Program
The Fairley Leadership Program is the Goulburn Murray region’s flagship community leadership initiative. Each year, the program brings together a diverse cohort of emerging and established leaders to deepen their understanding of regional issues, strengthen their leadership capability, and foster collaboration across sectors and communities.
The 2026 cohort represents a broad cross‑section of industries, experiences, and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to strengthening the future of the Goulburn Murray region.
This media release was developed by Leadership Group 3 of the 2026 Fairley Leadership Program: Jane Bearham, Aaron Cuthbert, Aziz Bhatti and Linda Tubb.