The 2024 Community Capacity Creators Program supported leadership development through the lens of drought preparedness within agricultural communities in the Indigo, Benalla, and Wangaratta regions. Delivered by Alpine Valleys Community Leadership with support from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), the program ran from July to November and was shaped through a co-design process with local stakeholders.
Facilitated by Chris Mirams and Dr Gary Saliba, participants took part in seven sessions exploring leadership, identity, climate change, and systems thinking – including a regional study tour to Holbrook Landcare and Wagga Wagga CSU Smart Farm.
Participants were asked to rate their development on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being ‘strongly agree’). Evaluation results showed consistently strong outcomes:
• 9.2 – strengthened networks
• 9.1 – confidence to take on a leadership role
• 9.1 – confidence to use networks to promote collaboration and shared vision
• 8.9 – ability to contribute to community decision-making and planning
• 8.5 – confidence in public speaking
• 8.5 – preparedness to respond to drought on a personal level
• 8.5 – confidence to advocate for climate preparedness
Participants also described a shift in how they understood leadership—moving away from formal authority and towards collaboration, self-awareness, and values-based contribution. The program helped them feel more capable, more connected, and better equipped to lead through complexity and change.
