Murrindindi: A story of loss, endurance, and renewal.
- Jul 30
- 5 min read
30 July 2026
Highlands, Victoria. Wednesday 15th July 2026 – Participants in the 2026 Fairley Leadership Program gathered on Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country to connect with local leaders who are currently navigating disaster recovery across the region, while continuing to strengthen a resilient and thriving local community.
The drive through the Murrindindi region was a stark reminder of the challenges faced over the past six months. Evidence of the bushfire remained visible in the landscape, blackened trunks, damaged fences, sitting alongside fresh shoots of new growth. That contrast carried a quiet power: a visual story of loss, endurance, and renewal.
The session was held at the Highlands Community Hall, a space that truly sits at the heart of the community. More than just a meeting place, it has become a refuge, a warm, familiar hub where people gather, regroup, and support one another. In the wake of the recent bushfires, the hall has opened its doors to essential services, offering practical assistance alongside emotional steadiness. Its role in the recovery effort reflects the spirit of the region itself: welcoming, resilient, and deeply connected.
Our first speaker was Tim Russell, Manager Regional Development at Regional Development Victoria (RDV) and a 2017 Fairley Fellow. Tim outlined RDV’s role in supporting growth and economic development across the Goulburn Murray region, highlighting both the opportunities and the persistent challenges facing local communities.
He spoke candidly about key pressure points: housing availability, workforce attraction, and the complexities of water and energy transition. All of which shape the region’s long-term resilience and capacity for sustainable development.
Tim’s central message was clear: strong regional outcomes rely on active advocacy and a willingness to identify practical, community driven solutions.
We then had the pleasure of hearing from Damian Gallagher, Mayor of the Murrindindi Shire. Although Damian wasn’t born in the region, his commitment to becoming part of the community has been unmistakable. Through joining the local fire brigade and becoming an active member of Alexandra Events, he has become a vital and trusted presence, particularly as the community navigates the complexities and emotional weight of the recent natural disaster.
Damian spoke about the importance of giving people the opportunity to be heard and ensuring they feel genuinely included in shaping solutions. His message reinforced a powerful truth: recovery is strongest when communities are empowered, listened to, and supported to lead their own way forward. This is evident in the quiet leadership style Damian practices — a style grounded in listening first, creating space for others, and guiding with humility. It’s this approach that allows him to speak last, offering calm, thoughtful reflections shaped by the voices he has prioritised before his own.
Our next speakers were Andrew Embling OAM, Caolan O’Connor, and Ayden Embling from Alexandra Events, all long‑standing leaders within the Murrindindi community. Established in 1997, Alexandra Events is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating events that positively impact the local community. Their work supports tourism, strengthens local identity, and brings people together through both grassroots initiatives and major regional events.
Caolan spoke about the importance of tourism in sustaining the region and outlined how Alexandra Events partners with community groups to run local events, as well as delivering major attractions such as the Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show and the Alexandra Pro Rodeo.
Ayden reflected on the impact of the recent fires and the difficult decision not to run the rodeo this year, prioritising the safety of participants, volunteers, and attendees. Drawing on his experience as a leader in the local fire brigade, he emphasised the importance of being an adaptive leader during an emergency, responding to rapidly changing conditions while keeping community wellbeing at the centre.
As a founding member and director of Alexandra Events, Andrew shared insights into identifying community needs during a crisis. He spoke about the practical support required by local farmers and the pivotal role he played in coordinating the delivery of 5,000 bales of hay into the region, a tangible example of leadership grounded in action, compassion, and deep community understanding.
Lastly, we were privileged to hear from Elizabeth Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer of the Yea and District Memorial Hospital. Born and raised in the Murrindindi Shire, with her family deeply rooted in the farming community, Elizabeth brought both professional expertise and personal connection to her reflections.
She spoke about the importance of building strong relationships through interpersonal connections, trust, and collaboration, emphasising that effective leadership is grounded in genuine human engagement. Elizabeth offered many valuable takeaways for emerging leaders:
Every community has its strengths and weaknesses.
Consider the barriers people are experiencing.
Don’t make decisions for people, help them make the decisions.
Show up and be visible.
Her insights highlighted the power of leadership that is both practical and relational, reminding us that resilience is built not only through systems and structures, but through the everyday trust and visibility of those who lead.
The jewel in the crown of the Murrindindi Shire is the Murrindindi Mobile Health Van. Born from the vision of community leaders who recognised the need to take health care directly to the people, the van represents both innovation and compassion.
Funded entirely through community donations, it stands as a testament to local generosity and collective determination. Officially launched in January 2026, the van was called into action only days later in response to the bushfires, immediately proving its worth as a vital resource. Since then, the van has remained on the road, delivering accessible health care where it is most needed. Its presence embodies the strength of a community that not only responds to crisis but also invests in long term wellbeing and resilience.
The cohort would like to sincerely thank our speakers, who so generously shared their leadership knowledge and recent experiences during the fires. The day provided rich opportunities for thought provoking discussions and deep reflection on what resilient leadership looks like in practice.
We also extend our thanks to Andrea for opening the doors of the Highlands Community Hall, allowing us to be fully immersed in the region. Finally, we acknowledge Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer, whose efforts in organising the speakers and smooth running of the sessions, ensured the day was both impactful and inspiring.
The Murrindindi and Mitchell Place based day provided the cohort with a deeper understanding of the key priorities, opportunities and challenges shaping the Murrindindi and Mitchell region through a place-based leadership lens, exploring how adaptive leadership, partnerships and collaboration contribute to disaster recovery, community resilience and positive regional outcomes.
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 2 of the 2026 Fairley Leadership Program: Judes Gadzinski, Linda Shi, Harley Haber, Richard Smith and Fern Summer