Disaster Recovery and Climate Change Adaptation Program – North East Victoria

Are you prepared to stand with your community in times of need? As our climate changes and natural disasters strike, we need community leadership. You are invited to join with others from the region to learn leadership fundamentals and practical knowledge in this space. Be empowered to step up during and after a natural disaster, and confidently take climate change adaptation actions from ideas through to outcomes.  Learn what other communities in the North East are doing to support disaster recovery and climate change adaptation. Be part of a network that will lead change towards 2050.

This program will be delivered by Alpine Valleys Community Leadership (AVCL). This project received grant funding from the Australian Government as part of the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.

AVCL will lead the program, facilitating a range of sessions over a total of 8 days, delivered from late March through to August 2023. The focus is to develop skills and strengthen capacity to work with rural communities in leading change, particularly as it relates to disaster recovery and climate change.

Key areas of learning will include:

• Leadership fundamentals for leading change.
• Climate change impacts on your community, agricultural businesses, and environment.
• Developing adaptive capacity in response to climate change
• Leading community development for resilience
• Learn what other communities in the North East and border regions are doing to support disaster recovery and climate change adaptation.
• Develop your leadership skills and consolidate your understanding of community leadership in action.

Program dates

• Friday 31 March & Saturday 1 April – The Priory Beechworth, overnight retreat
• Friday 28 April – Wodonga
• Friday 19 May – Dederang
• Saturday 17 June – Wangaratta
• Friday 28 & Saturday 29 July – Corryong, overnight retreat
• Saturday 12 August – Winton Wetlands

Key Information for participants

• Aged 18 and above
• Commitment to attend all days
• No cost – fully funded
• Catering and accommodation provided

Upper Murray Disaster Recovery and Climate Change Adaptation Program

Applications are now closed.

Thanks to funding from the Border Trust through the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund Grant Program,  Alpine Valleys Community Leadership partnered with Upper Murray CRC and Upper Murray Inc. to develop a community leadership program for Upper Murray residents. The 8 day program included a study tour to another rural community which has reimagined their economic and social future as part of their bushfire recovery process.

Ultimately the sustainability, viability and adaptive capacity of communities is based within the community itself. This community leadership development program enhances the skills of current and emerging leaders, enabling them to develop the adaptive capacity of their communities and the region, and contribute to the delivery of the Upper Murray Recovery Plan and 2030 Vision. Participants of this experiential community leadership program will be equipped with an understanding of how to work through slow- and fast-moving challenges, and how to contribute to successfully leading their community through transformative change.

Participants were drawn from the Upper Murray CRCs, and other community members who are in informal or formal community leadership roles in the recovery process. Up to 20 participants were accepted into the program. More capable community leaders in the Upper Murray will result in better social, economic and environmental outcomes for the broader community in the Upper Murray.