Women’s Community Leadership and Connections Program

an illustration of a woman with yellow hair and the words Women's Community Leadership and Connections Program

We’re on the lookout for women who are passionate about making positive social change in their community.

Applications for the 2022 Women’s Community Leadership and Connections program are now open.

This program brings women together with health, wellbeing and leadership experts to learn a range of skills in visioning, project planning, design and activation.

Participants will work with Council to each develop a local project that builds community resilience and supportive networks for women.

Graduates from 2021 are now working on projects such as a repair café, a new group for carers, an exercise group for new parents and a program to encourage women to take on leadership roles in community sport.

Mayor Peter Perkins said that the women’s leadership program was a great opportunity for women to build their skills and networks to become more confident, active and engaged leaders and community connectors in Nillumbik.

“Council recognises the important role that local government plays in promoting gender equity,” he said.

“We are committed to facilitating improved participation, leadership and access for women, girls and individuals who identify as female.”

The eight-week program includes:

  • Introduction to the program and creating our space
  • Purpose, vision and goals
  • Understanding Council
  • Equity-centred leadership
  • Understanding community and your role in it
  • Project planning and design
  • Collaborating with Council
  • Preparing for action.

Quotes about the program from the 2021 participants include:

“The program provided me with the opportunity to work with and collaborate with people I would not normally encounter in my working or personal life.”

“It opened up doorways and pathways I couldn’t have imagined on my own, and would have likely taken me years to achieve.”

Applications close Friday 31 December 2022.

The program will run online on Wednesday evenings throughout February and March, with a graduation celebration mid-April.

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