SOUTH-WEST community leaders taking part in the Leadership Great South Coast program will get more support and a funding boost if there's a change of State Government.
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Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said Regional Victoria's community leadership programs, like Leadership Great South Coast, were valuable opportunities for local people to help build regional communities.
"An elected Liberal Nationals Government will help more of our emerging leaders develop their skills and drive positive change in the south-west by boosting funding for Victoria’s Regional Community Leadership Programs by $1.5 million to $9.5 million over four years," Mrs Britnell said.
"Community-based leadership opportunities, like Leadership Great South Coast, give emerging local leaders the skills they need to drive positive change in the south-west.
"People have come from small business, agribusiness, not-for-profit and sports and recreation – to name a few – to develop their leadership skills, going on to step into leadership roles like local government and industry leadership roles.
The 10 community-based RCLPs across Victoria make an invaluable contribution to regional communities by building leadership skills and supporting regional networks of emerging local leaders.
The programs also help local leaders engage with representatives from local, state and federal governments, including visits to state and federal parliaments to speak with local MPs and political leaders.
There are more than 3500 alumni from across regional Victoria, with participants going on to take up leadership positions, including in local government and with community sporting clubs.
Opposition spokesman for Regional Victoria and Decentralisation, Peter Walsh, said despite funding for VRCLPs expiring in 2019, the current government has left the future of the program in limbo by failing to commit to extending the funding.
"We want to make sure local people have the skills they need to drive positive change in their community, because when our regions are strong, all Victorians benefit," Mr Walsh said.
"If we are elected, we will ensure these valuable community programs have the funding they need to help Regional Victoria develop their next group of leaders, be it in business, community development, government or not for profit organisations," he said.