NML Inc. 2018 E-News Issue 2

Leading in Complex Systems

Recently NML Inc. staff participated in a “Leading in Complex Systems” forum where Dr Sarah Wise from Melbourne University challenged us to consider a new model of working with complexity, using systems thinking science. Sarah shared many insights, tools and ideas in generating systemic change when leading organisations or teams grappling with complex problems or structure. This theory and methodology is similar to the Adaptive Leadership model which underpins the NML Program and an excellent way to maintain continuous improvement in our program design and delivery.

Advocacy for future funding for Regional Leadership Programs

As Chair of the Victorian Regional Community Leadership Programs (VRCLP), the state-wide organisation supporting ten regional community leadership programs including the Northern Mallee, I have been strongly advocating to gain a further four years of funding for Victorian regional community leadership programs. This advocacy is seeking $11 million commitment leading into the state election. Without this funding NML Inc. is severely impacted in its capacity to deliver affordable local leadership development across our region. Meetings have been held with the Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford and her senior staff, a number of state politicians, local government, and business and community leaders. NML Inc. Chair Ian Ballantyne recently raised the profile of leadership development and future funding at the Mallee Regional Assembly held in Kerang. A number of our Alumni posted on the Regional Assembly website to support the program that fostered their leadership potential and grew our NML pool to over 140 local leaders. Local advocacy is an important part of statewide activity and NML Inc. asks that at every opportunity local voices are raised to support the retention of the NML Program in the North-West of the state.

Future Focus

NML Inc. focus over the next few weeks includes expanding our networks locally, state-wide and nationally; Stimulating and encouraging new “voices” in determining solutions to opportunities and challenges across the community; Assessing community, business and stakeholder need for leadership development. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if there is any area of interest that NML could be involved in to meet its strategic focus as above.

Vision of The Region Dinner

Our annual Vision of the Region dinner continued the discussion about shaping the narrative to our advantage, particularly in the space of global entrepreneurship and innovation. Our guest speakers included Daryl Buckingham – CEO Mildura Regional Development, Anne Mansell – CEO Dried Fruit Australia and Geoff Dea – CEO Sunitafe, whom all spoke of maximising the opportunities and celebrating our strengths, and focusing less on the story that is often told about the negatives of our region. A special thank you Dag Demarkow and the team at Botanica for the delicious local cuisine that was served and to our current 2018 Program Participant Ashleigh Phillips for being our MC for the evening.

Study Trip to Melbourne

The notion of having a proactive role in controlling the narrative within our community struck a chord with participants and this was emphasised during our annual trip to Melbourne, their minds are now filled to the brim with possibility. Inspiring speakers, including our very own Indi Clarke (2015 Alumni) who now heads up the Koorie Youth Council in Melbourne, took participants of both the Northern Mallee group and the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program through their experiences and perspectives regarding justice, social justice, politics and state issues. Several participants from both programs had the fortunate opportunity to volunteer in the Lighthouse Café with the Salvation Army after hearing Major Brendan Nottle speak about The Salvation Army’s Project 614. Ask any Alumni about their experience of the Melbourne Trip, and they will all attest to the fact that despite an extremely full program, coupled with early starts, dozens of speakers and a massive group of personalities to wrangle, the experience is always inspiring, insightful and empowering. And so, the initial feedback from this year’s group is that we were able to provide the same. Come Tuesday night as we sat around at the pub with our pots and parmys, robust discussion was occurring all around about new project ideas, collaborations in groups and what change could be made ‘back home’.

As part of the Northern Mallee Leaders Program, each participant undertakes to initiate and implement a community project to contribute to creating a better community for all.

The 2017 NMLP Graduates have continued to develop and roll out their community projects to demonstrate their commitment to leadership and being active community members within our region. As a result of the 2017 NMLP Community Projects we have seen activities including a Veterans Health Week forum, public meditation space development, digital storytelling workshops, support for research projects and creation of Makers & Artists Mildura website all completed and influencing different sectors across the Northern Mallee region. We also have the Great Murray River Salami Festival to look forward to in Euston in October, revegetation at Mildura landfill underway and a regional volunteer database under construction.

One community project that we are very pleased to see completed is the Patient Transfer Station at Mildura Airport. Trudy Scott is Manager of Finance and Administration at the Mildura Airport and she saw the need to establish a weather proof, comfortable and safe hangar facility to accommodate the transfer of patients from land ambulance vehicles to stretchers suitable for air ambulance transport. She undertook to make this her community project and has worked with Airport Management, Ambulance Victoria, Andrew Broad, Federal Member for Mallee, the Australian Government, MRCC and other community groups to make this $300,000 project a reality. This will be an ongoing benefit for the community and will make a much more comfortable experience for the hundreds of patients who are transferred through the airport each year as well as the emergency service workers who will now have an appropriate facility to make the journey more comfortable, safe and respectful. When the transfer station was completed the handover of keys to the facility was covered in the Sunraysia Daily. The station was then officially opened on July 10th by Federal Member for Mallee, Andrew Broad MP alongside Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, the Hon Dr John McVeigh MP.