What does it involve?
This free regional leadership development opportunity is being delivered in the Western Australian regions of Goldfields-Esperance and Mid West Coastal by Leadership WA, in collaboration with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Regional Australia Institute. The initiative is fully funded by the Australian Federal Government.
The Leading Australian Resilient Communities (LARC) Program involves place-based forums, webinars, data and insights, as well as an intensive residential Leadership Program held across two sessions in each region.
We encourage all locals over the age of 18 to apply, including current and emerging leaders, those in agribusiness, women, young people, CALD, First Nations members and people with disability.
Community Future Forums
The LARC initiative in WA kicked off with one-day regional Future Forums, held in the Goldfields-Esperance and Mid West regions. The Forums included the latest economic and social data compiled by the Regional Australia Institute, along with the use of scenario planning to identify the opportunities and hopes for the region, while enabling participants to connect, undertake interactive learning and feedback experiences and to discuss ways of strengthening the region.
Intensive Leadership Programs
Applications have now closed for the LARC Intensive Leadership Programs, held in Goldfields-Esperance (Session 1: Esperance | Session 2: Kalgoorlie) and Mid West Coastal regionals (Sessions 1 and 2: Geraldton). Thank you for your interest.
Goldfields-Esperance
Mid West Coastal
Ways to participate
Intensive Leadership Programs
The Intensive Leadership Programs are being held in two WA regions: the Goldfields-Esperance (Esperance Session 1 & Kalgoorlie Session 2) and Mid West Coastal regions (Geraldton).
These will provide space for a cohort of diverse participants from each region to develop, improve and strengthen their leadership. The Program is a residential experience including staying in a local hotel and attending the daily workshops and evening dinners as a cohort. Participants are required to attend the both Intensive Sessions of three days each, held 3-months apart, along with working together in groups in the intervening months on a community initiative of local significance (as decided by the groups).
Being involved will see participants build practical skills to contribute to regional resilience, explore leadership and the ways in which their community can continue to come together to respond to challenges and opportunities, as well as deepen connections and grow networks of support.
Underpinned with local context, the LARC Intensive Leadership Program includes exploration of resilient leadership to suit the needs of the community.
As part of the Intensive Leadership Program, participants will put forward a local initiative/project in the first session which will positively impact the region. The Project may require up to 10 hours of collaborative group work over the three month period of the Program. The goal of the project is to create enduring impact.
National Webinar Series
All community members are invited to the LARC Webinar Series. The webinars are being produced by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) for both Forum and Program participants, as well as the wider community. Please feel free to share details of the webinars with your family, friends, colleagues and networks.
Registrations are required to participate live and/or watch the recording on demand.
- Facilitating Funding | How to make the most of regional funding opportunities
View on demand: Click here
This webinar talked about the pros and cons of funding sources and the ways to streamline sourcing money on behalf of communities.
- Talking Tough Topics | How to have difficult conversations, successfully.
View on demand: Click here
This webinar was a practical conversation about setting yourself up to calmly and successfully have the tough conversations that you don’t really want to have.
- Regional Wellbeing | What does wellbeing really mean and how can it be better achieved?
Wednesday 5 April | 10.00am AWST / 12.00pm AEST | Register here
This webinar will explore the topic with a focus on ways to identify and support wellbeing in the regions.
- Cultivating Connections | Networks, contacts and the power of alumni.
Wednesday 3 May | 10.30am AWST / 12.30pm AEST | Register here
This webinar will focus on the power of an alumni networks, how to continue to cultivate relationships and the collegiality and energy that can come from belonging to a tribe who speak your language.
How to apply
Thank you for your interest in the Program and to our regional communities for all your support in raising awareness of the LARC opportunity. Applications have now closed.
Please save the date for the final Community Future Forum in your region, to hear the results of the Community Initiatives:
- Goldfields-Esperance: Friday 26 May | Kalgoorlie
- Mid West: Friday 7 July | Geraldton
Are there any fees?
This Program is funded by the Australian Government as part of the Building Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative. There is no fee to participate.
Thank you to the City of Greater Geraldton, Our Gems WA and Tourism Western Australia for the imagery of the Midwest Coastal and Kalgoorlie-Goldfields regions, included within this page, our print materials and digital adverts.
