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Grows Capabilities
Through the delivery of a quality experiential leadership program.
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Fosters Connections
Through excellence in networking, engagement, and collaboration.
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Empowering Gippsland
To be influential and make a positive difference in our region.
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Inspires Confidence
And optimism while generating sound outcomes for individuals and their community.
About
The Gippsland Community Leadership Program (GCLP) is a comprehensive leadership experience, offering participants exposure to a deep contextual understanding of our region while enhancing individual leadership skills.
GCLP was established in 1996 by a group of passionate Gippslanders including Wayne Casey, Heather Farley and John Hutchinson. It is one of Australia’s longest-running regional leadership programs. It is a unique platform for the development and growth of Gippsland’s existing and emerging leaders.
More than 700 Gippslanders have participated in the program, who have gone on to represent diverse, talented and passionate community leaders. Most of our leaders are active in Gippsland communities, while some have moved outside the region. Leadership comes in all shapes and sizes, GCLP alumni have gone on to achieve leadership in all its forms including high-profile positions such as former Victorian Police Commissioner Ken Lay, Senator Bridget McKenzie as well as several local government councillors, mayors and business leaders.
GCLP has been running for more than 25 years and is auspiced by the Committee for Gippsland. It is supported by local sponsors. If you would like to sponsor the program, please get in touch.
The Program
The Gippsland Community Leadership Program is conducted over 10 months (February to November) and involves up to 15 days of activities:
Program introduction, launch and graduation
Overnight residentials
Single program days (different locations and themes, across Gippsland)
The GCLP experience is one of self-growth via reflective, collaborative and hands-on participation. The program includes personal and professional development including group work, individual challenges and observational learning.
GCLP participants will:
Enhance positive leadership skills
Build their public speaking experience
Be encouraged to find opportunities and take risks in a safe and inclusive environment
Work with a strength-based mindset and collaboration
Be connected to a dynamic leadership network
Build their knowledge of Gippsland places, people and opportunities
Community Projects
Community projects provide an opportunity for GCLP participants to apply and practice what they are learning as they want it. Each year the GCLP cohort is divided into syndicates. These syndicate are run by the participants, who decide what community project they would like to deliver. The community projects are worked on throughout the program year.
Example Community Projects
2022: Gippslanders called to join the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience
The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) has a simple aim – to close the education gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. It is designed to support them to transition to university, further study or employment at the same rate as their non-Indigenous peers. In just a couple of hours, you can help transform a life forever. Sign on as a mentor in the Gippsland AIME program and lead the change that you want to see in your region. Indigenous and non-indigenous mentors are welcome. Express interest here. Find out more about AIME here.
See below for some examples of the great work achieved through past Community Projects:
Clifton Creek
The goal of this Gippsland Community Leadership Program project was to assist the Clifton Creek CRC to rebuild key infrastructure that aids social and community recovery from the 2019/2020 East Gippsland Bushfires.
Growing Back
Growing Back East Gippsland is a visual art competition that invited the students of East Gippsland to produce an original piece of work to be included in a collaborative creative project.
Don’t take our word for it, listen to past alumni.
Apply Now
The Gippsland Leadership Program is committed to representing the diversity of our region. The successful round of participants we be a result of careful consideration to a mix of age, gender, cultural background, all of Gippsland’s local government areas, and industry. Applications will open soon.
Don’t take our word for it, listen to past alumni.
Our Partners and Sponsors
The Gippsland Leadership Program would not be possible without the support of our partners and sponsors:
GCLP Alumni Directory
700+ Gippsland leaders and change-makers and counting
Over the past two decades and counting, more than 650 Gippsland Community Leadership Program participants have graduated and now make up an exciting network of Gippsland Change Makers.
The GCLP Alumni Directory is for our GCLP Alumni to connect and engage with Gippslanders who have completed the program. Please login to update your details or inform us if you wish to opt out.
Follow our journey
