Greater Shepparton City Council has celebrated a decade of empowering local individuals and fostering a stronger, more connected community through its Community Leadership Program.
Facilitated by Shane Garner Consulting, the 2023 program has equipped 20 community-minded participants with essential leadership skills in public speaking, goal setting and mentoring, community leadership, understanding community and diversity, reflection and resilience.
The Community Leadership Program, funded by Council, has provided an accessible and respected program for emerging community leaders for a decade. The workshops and mentorships provided this year by Shane Garner Consulting have helped hone participants’ leadership skills and instilled a sense of purpose and responsibility to serve their community with passion and dedication.
The program encompassed a range of topics including public speaking to amplify their voices and inspire change, goal setting and mentoring to foster personal and professional development, and community leadership to inspire others to action. Participants also delved into understanding the diversity of our community, and promoting inclusivity and unity. Reflection and resilience were also key elements of the program, equipping graduates with the capacity to navigate challenges and setbacks with grace and determination.
The inclusion of guest speakers Cr Greg James, Sara Noori and Dr Florence Chikhawana during the sessions brought real-life experiences and insights, connecting participants to the heart of Shepparton’s unique challenges and aspirations.
The program concluded on Wednesday evening with a graduation ceremony planned and facilitated by the program participants.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, congratulated the graduates on their efforts over the past few months.
“It is always fantastic to see the progression and knowledge which the participants have gained during the Community Leadership Program. They all walk away with valuable skills in leadership and communication which will serve them will in their future careers,” he said.
“I completed the program a few years ago and found it to be a great platform to develop my own leadership skills and make some valuable connections within the community. I encourage anyone interested to consider applying in the future.”
Facilitator Shane Garner said he was impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm of the cohort.
“Wednesday night’s graduation event provided an opportunity for participants to showcase the skills they had learnt throughout the program. It has been inspiring to witness their growth over the past few months and I am excited to see them achieve their leadership goals well into the future,” he said.
