With Corryong’s sweeping skyline as the backdrop, the 2025 Annual Program recently explored what it means for communities to take the lead in shaping their own way forward.
Dominic Sandilands FCHSM CHE GAICD from Upper Murray Inc spoke about community-led recovery after the 2020 bushfires, showing how persistence, care and local decision-making created momentum through difficult times, and how renewal follows.
At Playles Hill, Cathy Ross shared the story of the labyrinth project – built from community effort and vision, supported by Border Trust through the Towong Bushfire Recovery Fund, and now a space of reflection.
In the afternoon, Towong Shire Council Mayor Andrew Whitehead, an AVCLP Alumni, discussed strengthening opportunities and outcomes by genuinely empowering community voices through consultation and collaboration.
The cohort left Corryong with a stronger sense of how community leadership can be enacted in practice: by taking others along with you, communicating with clarity and respect, and through recognising that inclusion and shared direction are what turn ideas into action. The day underscored that while it isn’t always easy, people working together can achieve enormous things.
A reminder that applications for the 2026 Annual Program are currently open: https://bit.ly/2026avclp
and tickets for the 2025 Graduation / End of year celebration can be purchased: https://lnkd.in/gY623Q5G
