GMCL Alumni held its end of year networking event last week, bringing the GMCL alumni community together to reconnect, share ideas and celebrate the contribution of local leaders across the region.

4th December 2025

Shepparton, Victoria — The event showcased the growing momentum of the GMCL Alumni network since the establishment of the GMCL Alumni Subcommittee, tasked with re-engaging alumni, supporting ongoing learning and networking, and representing alumni interests as a formal advisory body to the GMCL Board.

The Alumni Subcommittee have got off to an exciting start with announcements about future events, new collaborations with local organisations and community focused initiatives planned for 2026. Chair of the subcommittee, Sarmed Yassin, said the subcommittee is committed to building connection and fostering collaboration across the region.

“Our alumni community is full of people with incredible skills and experience across so many industries. We are excited to host more events next year, many in collaboration with partner organisations, to create spaces where ideas, leadership and community impact can flourish.”

The Subcommittee also announced its upcoming initiative, ‘Crazy Socks for a Fairley Good Cause’, encouraging community members, businesses and alumni to join in by wearing their brightest socks and sharing photos to raise awareness for GMCL Alumni Scholarship. The committee confirmed that the online fundraising campaign will begin on Monday the 8th of December, with local leaders encouraged to participate. More information will be available on GMCL social media channels.

The subcommittee is encouraging past participants in the Fairley Leadership Program to ‘pay it forward’ by making a donation to the Alumni Scholarship. This scholarship will support a participant in the flagship Fairley Leadership Program, which is entering its 30th year and will run from March to October in 2026. Sarmed highlighted the importance of this support, saying,

“Sponsoring a participant is a direct investment in community leadership. It gives someone the opportunity to grow, contribute and create real impact across the Goulburn Murray.”

A full calendar of alumni events will be released in early 2026, including networking opportunities, learning sessions, a gala event and several collaborative initiatives delivered in partnership with local organisations.

Community members wishing to support grass-roots emerging leaders can contribute to the Alumni Scholarship through the online donation box available via the link provided -https://donorbox.org/gmcl-alumni-committee-community-scholarship-2026-fairley-leadership-program

GMCL Board representative and Alumni subcommittee member, Rick Sellars added,

“This is a fun and simple way for people to get involved. It brings visibility to the scholarship while bringing the community together, and that is exactly what GMCL is about.”

GMCL are inviting businesses, community organisations, councils and philanthropic supporters to consider sponsoring a participant for the 2026 Fairley Leadership Program. To sponsor offer a full or part scholarship for a community participant, sponsorship for an employee, or discuss partnership opportunities in 2026, please contact GMCL Executive Officer, Jesse Mitchell via email at eo@gmcl.org.au