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Welcome to the September 2017 edition of Northern Mallee Leaders e-news
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2017 Program News

We are well into the year and what a group of committed, conscientious and motivated people we are developing.

After a challenging study tour of Melbourne participants came home full of enthusiasm and some great ideas for projects and new ways to contribute.  Some of their responses include:

“I really enjoyed the Melbourne trip. Days were very full and an interesting and diverse array of speakers.”

“Very inspiring visit. Was good to see how Mildura and Melbourne are connected in so many different ways.”

“This trip was so good, The whole group came together a lot more. Spending this time with everyone was fantastic. Was a bit weird this weekend just gone, actually missed everyone a little! Well worth doing, would do it again in a heart beat.”

“This kind of trip is a stand out life experience for anyone that is open to learning more about operating actively and effectively in our community. If only everyone could be as privileged to experience it. It has broadened my view and invigorated my motivation significantly. Thank-you so much to the Northern Mallee Leaders Program for the opportunity.”



Participants were exposed to a wide range of issues based on the theme of Social Justice and Justice.  We heard about issues facing the homeless, racism, indigenous issues, sentencing and punishment, poverty and human rights.  We also heard from Vic Police on terrorism issues facing our country as well as a visit to State Parliament to meet with our local member Peter Crisp and other politicians from all walks of political life.
Participants also enjoyed the chance to network with fellow participants from the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program when the programs overlapped.  Some strong bonds were formed and I look forward to these being enhanced when we meet again in Canberra in Mid August.

77 attendees also took up the chance to hear Jack Archer from the Regional Australia Institute share his thoughts on the opportunities available to us in Regional areas.  His quote of “If we can get it right here in Mildura, we can get it right in lots of places.” Seemed to resonate with those in attendance and provoked some interesting discussions at tables.  Jack provided a great model for our small towns to think about in terms of enhancing opportunities and growing their areas.


The Canbera study trip was held in Mid August and a full program kept participants actively engaged in their leadership journey. A full report of that trip will be posted on the website soon.
 

To see a complete set of profiles of our 2017 Participants visit our web page at: https://nml.org.au/participants/participants-2017
 

Rod Robinson - NML Program Manager  
From Our Executive Officer
Most recently I have had the pleasure of spending some time with the 2017 NMLP participants as they travelled to Melbourne and Canberra. I was amazed at the fantastic excursions, workshops, site visits and networking events through these well-anticipated external components of the program. From the Victorian Wholesale Market to The Canberra Press Club, from hallowed halls of Parliament House Melbourne to Question Time at the House of Representatives in Canberra, we really were immersed in today’s hot topics and leaders in action! So many presenters challenged and excited us, shocked us, shared knowledge and experiences and confronted our values, beliefs and perceptions. Well done to our participants who in turn soaked it up, asked probing questions and engaged in ongoing discussions to ensure they made the most of their commitment to the demands of the program. Our 2017 NMLP participants are terrific Ambassadors for our region and handle meeting and questioning parliamentarians, subject experts and dignitaries with aplomb! 
What’s next –  well on 11 September, we commence our recruitment for the 2018 NMLP! Prior to this NML Inc. Leaders will review the current program with the view of continuous improvement and to ensure it meets the changing needs of our community and our business community.  Please ensure you check our website nml@org.au for further information regarding the 2018 NMLP as it comes to hand and in readiness for your application! Or, call Rod or myself and we are happy to have a chat or visit your workplace to speak with teams and groups or management about the benefits of being a 2018 NMLP participant or to hear your innovative ideas for program inclusion.
Also, we are taking NML Inc. into a modern space with our new look contemporary logo – let us know what you think -  we love it!



And finally, for those who are considering or already working on a community project in a town of less than a population of 10,000, the FRRR Small Grants for Rural Communities Round 32 is now open until 27 September. Check out this link and apply! http://www.frrr.org.au/grants/small-grants-for-rural-communities-round32.php
 
Jen Grigg, Executive Officer
Alumni News

The NML Alumni calendar continues to grow and offer opportunities for networking, learning ad contributing to community forums.  

A statewide survey to gather data on the social impact of community leadership programs will be circulated to Alumni in September.  We urge all graduates of the program to contribute to the survey to build an accurate representation of the outcomes of the program for individuals and the community.  This data will be invaluable to contribute to the advocacy for government support for the program to continue beyond the current funding cycle. 

Alumni Events

Breakfast event
In July, NML Alumni were given the opportunity to gather for breakfast to catch up and listen to local historian Eddie LLoyd speak about local innovations in agriculture.  Eddie has worked in the dried fruit industry for many decades and passed on a great historical perspective of change over time. It was also a chance for Alumni to update those presen on progress with community projects and involvement in other community initiatives.
 
Digital Storytelling workshop
In August NML 2017 Participant Matt Spencer facilitated a session for Alumni on digital storytelling as part of his community project.  At the workshop Matt took participants through the process of creating an engaging audio visual piece and we began to put together our own stories.  Some of these will be used in the upcoming recruitment process for 2018 NMLP applicants.

 

Community Project Updates:

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Youth Leadership Program
After securing sponsorship to fund the program the first Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Youth Leadership Program kicked off in May.  Six students from Red Cliffs Secondary College were slelected to take part in the six month journey.  
With one camp and three workshops now completed the WBCF Youth Leadership participants have passed the half way mark and are now steaming towards Graduation on the 20 September 2017.  In spite of the six participants all attending Red Cliffs Secondary College, they were basically strangers  prior to attending the opening camp in Melbourne and hence undertook the first part of their community leadership journey: actively engaging with people not within their immediate circle and learning that others have qualities and skills which both enrich and add to their community.
 
The Workshops have explored the meaning of team and community, developing an understanding of their own personality type and those of others via a variety of activities and mediums and identifying the issues that each participant is passionate about with the end goal of each participant identifying and delivering their community project.
 
Workshop 3 was held on Wednesday 26 July and was opened with the participants developing "Franken-Leader".  Each participant contributed several attributes they believed Franken required and created an image of all those components in one body.

As Program Manager I am incredibly proud of the growth, maturity and. empathy this group of 14 – 16 year old youth have demonstrated already – and I haven’t yet shared with you the community projects they are developing!  As an adult I am amazed at the impact these will have on our larger community and the challenges they will put to us all.
Sharon Smith , Project Manager (NMLP Graduate 2016)


Mildura Gourmet Food and Wine Trail Map 
Ben Israel (NML 2016) chose as his community project to work with the producers, businesses and Mildura Regional Development to create a map of local gourmet food and wine destinations. This Gourmet Food and Wine trail allows locals and visitors to more easily locate and support local producers and businesses.
The map was launched in Auguste and is available around the district. Signage, promotion and an app are the next phases of the project..


Above: Rod Robinson, NML Program Manager and Ben Israel (NML 2016) at the launch of the map.

Congratulations to the Alumni on the terrific initiatives and impact their community projects are having inour region!

Paula Robinson
NML Alumni Program Manager
Upcoming Webinar oppotrtunity: How to have difficult conversations - facilitated by Violet Dhu
Wednesday 20 September 10-11am 
Cost $20 – with proceeds going towards the NML Alumni Scholarship for a 2018 NMLP Participant
Further details and registration at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nml-alumni-webinar-how-to-have-difficult-conversations-tickets-36647113503


Applications for the 2018 Northern Mallee Leaders Program will open in mid September - apply to be part of this amazing program or encourage others to step up as future leaders. More details to be released in the next few weeks.

 
NML acknowledges and thanks our major sponsors...
And thanks to our program supporters...
Copyright © 2017 Northern Mallee Leaders, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
alumni@nml.org.au

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Northern Mallee Leaders · PO Box 10311 · Mildura, Victoria 3502 · Australia

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