Metropolitan Communities and the Urban
Fringe
Sunday 22 to Tuesday 24 August 2010
 Participants
from the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP) recently spent
three days exploring Macedon Ranges and Melbourne to learn about urban
fringe and metropolitan issues. These 20 community leaders come from
diverse backgrounds representing eleven shires in regional Victoria.
Local
Government challenges in an urban fringe shire was the first topic of
discussion at Newham near Woodend with the Mayor of the Macedon Ranges
Shire Council, Cr. Rob Guthrie. Newham Planning Group chair, Hilary
Roberts, and Elaine Murphy of the Redesdale Fires Community Recovery
Committee also shared their insights into positive community action.
From the
urban fringe the group traveled into Melbourne where they were based for
two days exploring a wide range of issues.
 Social
enterprise was explored with Nina Howard from Social Traders and Alan
Attwood, editor of The Big Issue. Swan Hill participant, Alice Saville,
says that The Big Issue talk was a “light bulb” moment for her.
“For The Big
issue to be sold in regional communities they need to identify and develop
a partnership with an organisation to provide support and a base for
vendors.”
Leadership
was the topic of discussion during an afternoon at the MCG. Rachael Lamont
spoke about her challenges as a team leader of a group of 18 people
spending a year at the Antarctic.
She was
“inspiring on many levels” said Elphinstone participant, Jacqueline Brodie
Hanns.
Glenn Scott,
CEO of the Victorian Country Football league (VCFL) not only provided a
great insight to the value of volunteers, but also the many valuable life
skills programs being implemented throughout regional areas. Former AFL
player, Dean Rice, took the group through a simulated exercise.
 “It
was great to hear what the VCFL are doing with young kids and the programs
they facilitate,” said David Barker, a participant from Rochester.
Many other
leaders provided valuable advice to the group during their two days
exploring Melbourne.
In the
Council Chambers at the Melbourne Town Hall, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, told
the group that leadership in his opinion was “judgement and making calls.”
Over dinner
Paul Higgins from Emergent Futures encouraged the group to think
strategically when making decisions both individually and at an
organizational level.
The
importance of developing relationships was stressed by Boris Struk,
Executive Director of the Muscular Association, and Chris Wootten, Grants
Executive of the Helen MacPherson Smith Trust.
 A
5.30am start at the Melbourne Markets enabled the group to view the
vibrant activity as regional produce and flowers were put up for
wholesale. David Fussell the Marketing manager spoke about the Market
Authority’s important role in promoting regional produce particularly for
the independent retailers.
During the
trip, two intensive workshops were also undertaken to improve the group’s
skills in public speaking and media. The participants were particularly
pleased to access the knowledge of Peter Kent, General Manager of the
Melbourne office of Porter Novelli Australia Pty Ltd.
“What an
opportunity to participate in three days of establishing networks and
meeting, listening and talking to people and visiting places I would have
never dreamed of,” concluded Castlemaine participant Sue Grimes.
The group
next convenes at Castlemaine in September as part of their ten month
learning journey across regional Victoria.
Photo Captions (top to bottom):
-
Participants in the Loddon
Murray Community Leadership Program recently stopped off at Newham to
meet with Hilary Roberts and Elaine Murphy.
-
David Vivian from Castlemaine
listens intently to Alan Attwood, Editor of The Big Issue.
-
Loddon Murray Community
Leadership Program participants, including Sue Grimes from Castlemaine
and Sam Luxemburg from Hesket, had the privilege of meeting with Lord
Mayor Robert Doyle during their visit to Melbourne.
-
Seeing how our regional
produce is sold through the Melbourne Markets: Brent Heitbaum from
Kerang, Alice Saville from Swan Hill, David Barker from Rochester,
Melinda Mann from Echuca and Kristen Dyer from Moama
Story prepared by Sue Grimes, Castlemaine |
