ACRE welcomes the opportunity to deliver a new Community Leadership Program supporting former native timber towns in northern Victoria, following engagement by the Victorian Government.
The Allan Labor Government is expanding the Forestry Transition Program through a new Community Leadership Program which will help create emerging leaders in communities of northern Victoria and Gippsland.
ACRE and the Committee for Gippsland have been engaged as established leadership providers to deliver the tailored leadership programs, aimed at fostering a new generation of community leaders in these former native timber towns.
The programs will develop local leaders that are equipped for navigating change, leading their communities, and shaping the future for their regions.
“The Community Leadership Program will help community members gain new skills to strengthen and support their local communities as they transition to new economic opportunities.”
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
“The Community Leadership Program will help community members gain new skills to strengthen and support their local communities as they transition to new economic opportunities.”
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
In Gippsland the ‘Building Resilient Forestry Communities Program’ will support up to 20 program participants from the six priority forestry communities with Local Development Strategies in the region, including Noojee, Yarram, Heyfield, Orbost, Nowa Nowa and Swifts Creek.
In northern Victoria, the ‘Lead a New Future for Your Community’ Program will support the five priority communities with Local Development Strategies in the region (Murrindindi, Yarra Ranges, Benalla, Corryong and Koondrook) with a core program for 20 participants and further workshops for an additional 100 participants.
Currently, 11 priority native timber communities are being provided medium- to long-term support to identify new economic opportunities and create jobs through Local Development Strategy projects, the Community Development Fund and the Community Leadership Program.
“We’re looking forward to unearthing new opportunities for the communities of Murrindindi, Upper Yarra Ranges. Benalla, Corryong and Koondrook. We understand that navigating change can be challenging for rural communities. We also know that supporting emerging leaders and building an entrepreneurial mindset can unlock new, localised futures that are community-led and self reliant.”
Matt Pfahlert, Co-founder & CEO – ACRE
The Community Leadership Program facilitated by ACRE will cover the communities of Murrindindi, Yarra Ranges, Benalla, Corryong and Koondrook, commencing from July 2025.