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Growing Regional Economies/Art in the
Community
Sunday 25 & Monday 26 July at Swan Hill
 Participants
in the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP) visited Swan
Hill over two days (25-26 July) with a focus on learning about growing
regional economies and art in the community. The program is designed to
guide and assist current and aspiring community leaders with the
development of their skills and knowledge for the benefit of their
communities.
Mayor Greg
Cruickshank and local businessman Ian Ray addressed the LMCLP participants
about current and future economic development in Swan Hill.
Participant
Kim Hanlon from Inglewood said “it was refreshing to hear from passionate
and visionary leaders with a strong focus on community planning.”
 The
group of 20 program participants also visited the purpose built Swan Hill
Art Gallery which hosts a permanent collection of over 300 works of art
that continues to grow in its focus areas - Australian native art, works
on paper, and works of art that relate to the Swan Hill region.
Regional
Arts Development Officer Kim Bennett from Regional Arts Victoria presented
a talk on art in the community outlining how Regional Arts Victoria
initiates, facilitates and celebrates the arts in regional Victoria
through developing arts networks, tours, projects, programs, skills
development and funding.
'Go North
Arts Festival' committee member and Speewa artist. Allison Gibson, also
spoke about her involvement in art in communities and the Swan Hill Arts
Trail.
Louise
Bewley of Wedderburn commented: “I found the work that Regional Arts
Victoria funds inspirational as they have the opportunity to explore and
bring cultures together using art as the medium.”
Also visited
was the Pioneer Settlement where the group was privileged to meet with
dedicated staff member, Glynis Pitts. Glynis showed how to develop a
community approach with a commercial outcome that helps support the local
economy. The Settlement is supported by the local community with over 165
volunteers involved and utilises local produce and resources to assist
with Swan Hill’s economic stability and growth – exactly what small towns
across the region require to be successful!
 LMCLP
participants were impressed by the passion and commitment, particularly
Scott Mclarty from Bendigo TAFE. “It was fantastic to see community
leaders with a strong business sense leading their city into prosperity.”
While in
Swan Hill, the LMCLP group took a step closer to achieving their
leadership goals through a workshop with Bryan McCormick of Leading Teams.
The workshop
gave participants an opportunity to develop constructive ways to develop a
strong team culture which is imperative when involved with community
groups and boards.
Participant
Sharon Fullex said “I can’t wait to implement the strategies with the
community groups in Goornong that I am involved with.”
 The
visit was concluded with a tour of Burrabliss Farms with Tricia Pollard at
Lake Boga. The group was intrigued by the niche market of Sharlea Ultra
Fine Wool that is one of only 30 in the world.
LMCLP began
in 1998 and has since produced more than 250 graduates across the north
central region of Victoria. Applications for the 2011 program open in
September.
The next
program days will be in Melbourne and Macedon Ranges in August.
Photo Captions (top to bottom):
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Kim Hanlon
(Inglewood) and David Barker (Rochester) making the most of the vibrant
art space at the Swan Hill Art Gallery
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Ian Ray was
special guest speaker at Swan Hill, sharing his knowledge with
participants over dinner
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Bryan McCormack
from Leading Teams presenting LMCLP participant, Sam Luxemburg, with a
copy of the book "Team Work" written by the founder of Leading Teams,
Ray McLean
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LMCLP
Participants David Vivian and Sue Grimes of Don KRC in Castlemaine were
interested to visit Burrabliss Farms at Lake Boga during their stay in
Swan Hill
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