Leading Teams and Leadership Wimmera have formally agreed to extend their relationship for another two years.  A recent meeting between Leadership Wimmera Chairwomen, Dianne Marchment, Executive Director Phil Sabien, Program Coordinator, Anne Bothe and Leading Teams Directors, Gerard Murphy and Kraig Grime concluded that current suite of programs has been a resounding success and the existing 2 year relationship should be extended to the end of 2010.

Leading Teams has designed and delivered the three pronged approach to developing regional leadership in the Wimmera through a Community Leadership Year program (which involves a community based project), the Leadership Skills Program and the Business Leaders Program (which involves a Personal Enterprise Plan).  These programs aim to target leaders from a broad cross section of the Wimmera District.  In all, 5 courses have been conducted over the past two years with over 60 participants taking part.

The programs aim to increase the knowledge, skills and networks of business and community leaders that are involved in large enterprises, small business or community based volunteer organisations. The programs goal is to encourage local leadership and ownership by providing people with the abilities and confidence to take part in business and community related decision which increases their skills as part of the process.

A Graduation Dinner and final presentation by the Business Leader participants to the Leadership Wimmera Board members was held in late June 2008 with over 150 people attending.  There were plenty of stories around the sheep herding activity (apparently participants still shiver at the thought and take great delight in “warning” new participants to beware).  Feedback was very rewarding for the facilitators with several participants expressing significant personal and professional growth.  The action learning approach, whilst being new and sometimes bemusing has been embraced as a worthwhile approach to get workshop learning’s into the workplace environment to solve real issues.

Facilitators for the program included: Gerard Murphy, Martine Harkin, Craig Biddiscombe, Kraig Grime and Ray McLean, Well done to all concerned.