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Leadership course brings community benefits

For the past four years Council has been actively encouraging initiative and talent in Maroondah through the Leadership Maroondah program. Under the program, Council recruits approximately 15 local people from all walks of life to participate in a training and development program for community and personal benefit.

Participants are encouraged to develop their ideas for projects which will return a benefit to the community while helping to foster their personal communication, leadership and organisational skills.

Coordinator, Liz Wade, said that Council recruits people for the program through advertising in the local press, information nights and by word of mouth.

"Each year more and more people are showing an interest," she said. "As the number of graduates from the program grows, their activities and enthusiasm for Leadership Maroondah attract more attention."

Selection does not necessarily depend on people having already established a community leadership profile.

"Our people are distinguished by their enthusiasm, ideas, energy and their community mindedness," Liz said. "The program requires a lot of hard work and commitment on the part of the participants over nine months of the year, so we need to select people who can go the distance."

The program takes a two pronged approach. The formal side provides speakers and discussion on wide ranging topics and visits to places of interest, such as local industries. The less structured side of the course requires participants to undertake community projects in groups.

A prime example of projects developed by graduates is Equipment Recycling. This has won a major State Award for its initiative in building community links. This project was developed by a young mother in the program who, having a child with a disability, recognised an opportunity for recycling equipment to assist with disability care.

The Equipment Recycling Network is now a thriving organisation providing a highly valued service. Other initiatives developed include a mentor scheme which creates special supportive relationships between school children and older adults and currently operates within a school community in Maroondah.

Liz Wade said the program has proved an outstanding success as measured by the activities of graduates, the growing interest in the program and the success of projects undertaken.

"Most importantly, there have been concrete results for the community," she said. "Many of the projects have been modest but have helped to enrich people's lives.

"The Graduate group which is growing in numbers is also creating an active support network of community minded leaders in Maroondah."

Leadership Maroondah is Council funded but also enjoys the support of corporate sponsorship from the National Australia Bank's CommunityLink Program.

For further information contact Liz Wade, telephone (03) 9871 0294.

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