Graduate Projects

Projects which have made a difference

Planned and delivered by participants in the primary industries and rural communities.

Leading Industries has been working with primary industries and rural communities during the past ten years to equip people from all walks of life to make a difference.  Seven hundred people have participated and, as part of the program, have planned and implemented projects to contribute back to their community or industry

Participants have come from a wide range of sectors, including seafood, dairy, citrus, sugar, racing, grains, and meat.

Consideration of these projects suggests that the most successful are those where the participant has:

• Acknowledged that they have a mandate to undertake their project.
• Chosen a project they are passionate about and committed to implementing.
• Taken risks to try themselves out and learn new skills.
• Formed a team of people to support them, guide them, challenge them and contribute to the outcomes.
• Confidently taken their idea to funding bodies.
• Understood their strengths and weaknesses and worked with them.

It must be acknowledged that many of these projects have been completed after the conclusion of the formal component of the program. The Leading Industries team is committed to providing support to graduates to implement their projects even where this goes beyond the end of a program. 

Graduate Project Outcomes:

Community Development Projects

Graduates of the 2009 Local Government Community Leadership Program are continuing to invest in their communities through their community projects.

St James
In the small community of St James in northern Victoria where the first GJ Coles store opened in 1911 Kathy, on behalf of the community, has formed a partnership with Wesfarmers and the Shire to renovate the community hall and develop a heritage precinct which will include the GJ Coles store that is still standing and the home of George Coles.

Cobram
A community garden was opened in Cobram as a result of the skill and commitment of another participant, Linda who engaged a myriad of community groups including young people, school children, people with a disability, unemployed, retired men, the elderly and members of the general community.  Individuals, families and community groups have purchased plots to enable them to grow their own vegetables and garden in a communal setting. The garden is adorned with wonderful art work created by community members.

Tungamah
The first community market held in Tungamah was a huge success.  Jo spent months learning what was involved and generating the enthusiasm required to gain the support of both stall holders and shoppers.  It added significantly to the long established Tungamah 10,000 which is an annual athletics meet in the community.

Katamatite
In the small community of Katamatite in central Victoria a pyjama party was organised by Neeska to lift the spirits of rural women working in drought conditions.  120 women attended and were able to leave their concerns at home in order to celebrate life and friendship with other women experiencing similar conditions.

Cobram
Kaye is a volunteer at the Foodbank which provides food hampers for up to 8,000 families per month.  Kaye was aware that farming families and communities outside of the towns were not aware of the availability of hampers.  Kaye began to network with other participants from outlying communities and commenced an awareness campaign by visiting community gatherings, schools, senior citizens clubs etc. and giving everyone a hamper so that they not only became aware of the service but experienced it and could access it when necessary.  This approach has resulted in farming families also accessing the service when required.