Lead a New Future for Your Community

In 2025 the Victorian Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action engaged ACRE to deliver a program to support former native timber towns looking for ways to bring innovation to life.

ACRE has a demonstrated track record of working effectively with individuals, organisations and whole communities who want to unearth and lead development of a more diverse and sustainable economy. We utilised this experience to design ‘Lead a new future for your community’.

The program is designed to support economic diversification planning in communities affected by Victoria’s transition away from native timber harvesting in State forests. The program will connect and support emerging leaders, building on and activating strategies developed by innovation working groups across northern Victoria. Read more here.

Taking place in Benalla, Corryong, Koondrook, Murrindindi and Upper Yarra, the program is launching with ‘Connect and Explore’ workshops in each community.

A Three-Part Leadership Journey

Lead a New Future for Your Community is a practical, three-part workshop series designed to support local people to explore opportunity, strengthen leadership capability, and move community-led ideas into action. This series builds knowledge, confidence and networks – creating real momentum for locally driven innovation and economic transition.

Step 1: Connect & Explore

Inspiration. Insight. Possibility.
This thought-provoking and practical workshop brings community members together to explore what’s possible.

Participants:

• Hear stories of rural communities building a new future from within
• Explore how knowledge, know-how and networks unlock local innovation
• Identify ways entrepreneurship can strengthen and leverage existing community initiatives

This session lays the groundwork — surfacing ideas, connections and shared ambition.

Step 2: Translating Leadership into Action

From Conversation to Commitment

Designed for existing and aspiring community leaders, this interactive half-day workshop introduces practical tools to help groups move beyond endless planning.

Participants learn and practice:

• Techniques to guide collaborative action
• Methods to encourage commitment and shared ownership
• Structured ways to review progress and maintain momentum

This is hands-on, experiential skill development — equipping leaders to confidently support initiatives in complex and changing environments.

Step 3: Unlocking Opportunity & Moving to Action

Community-Wide Momentum

In this open community workshop, ideas are shaped into achievable next steps. Co-facilitated by alumni of the Translating Leadership workshop, this session:

• Brings diverse voices together
• Identifies aligned opportunities
• Establishes practical commitments
• Builds accountability and forward movement

This is where energy turns into action.

Why This Series Matters

Across three stages, the program:

• Builds leadership capability
• Strengthens cross-sector networks
• Supports local economic transition
• Encourages community-led innovation
• Creates practical, repeatable methods for ongoing action

Be Part of the Momentum

If you’re interested in strengthening your leadership skills, contributing to meaningful local initiatives, or helping your community move forward with clarity and confidence — this series is for you.

Click on your community below and register for an upcoming session.

Have a Question?

Contact ACRE on info@acre.org.au or call 03 5728 2916