Applications  for the 2025 Upper Murray Community Leadership Program are now open.

Please note: This program accepts applications from individuals with a connection to the Upper Murray & who have the ability to contribute to the Upper Murray community.

In 2025, the Upper Murray Community Leadership Program will run for the final time, taking an agriculture-specific focus to equip local farmers, operators, and land managers with the skills to think innovatively and address the evolving challenges within the sector. Participants will be empowered to drive transformative change in their businesses, communities, and the broader agricultural landscape, gaining the knowledge and confidence to lead the future of farming in our thriving region.

Running from late March through to July, the program includes a hands-on, five-day study tour to Tasmania, where participants will explore cutting-edge agricultural practices and hear from Nuffield scholars, sustainable farming innovators, and successful agricultural entrepreneurs.

The study tour offers an opportunity to see first-hand how other rural communities have reimagined their farming approaches, fostering resilience, diversifying income streams, and building stronger collaborations. Participants will gain practical insights into emerging practices, innovation in sustainability, and the adaptive mindset required to drive change within their own enterprises and the wider sector. This experience integrates learnings from the program into practice—from solving immediate farm challenges to developing long-term strategies that enhance profitability, sustainability, and community vitality.

You will:

• Build personal capacity, skills, networks and confidence.
• Learn key leadership fundamentals for building relationships.
• Gain knowledge regarding the importance of resilience, health, and wellbeing in our communities.
• Learn what other communities are doing to support future growth and development.
• Participate in a study tour to Tasmania to explore the practical elements of theoretical change.

Participants should:

• Have a current or aspiration for a future voluntary role in community focused recovery and economic development.
• Participants must be aged 18 and over.

Additional information:

• The program will be 10 days, including an overnight retreat, and a 5-day study tour to Tasmania.
• Program days will be full days (9am – 5pm).
• Through the funding secured, there is no cost to participants, though personal costs may be incurred during the trip to Tasmania.
• Catering will be provided.

Major funding is provided by Emergency Recovery Victoria. There is no participation fee, personal costs may be incurred during the trip to Tasmania.

Any questions or queries can be directed to Madeline Hines, AVCL Executive Officer

0417 348 547 / eo@avclp.org.au