Participants in the 2026 program travelled to Canberra from September 14 to 17, meeting federal parliamentarians, visiting key national institutions and gaining first-hand insight into democracy, public leadership and decision-making.
Participants attended question time, toured Parliament House and had opportunities to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing regional communities.
Goulburn Murray Community Leadership executive officer Jesse Mitchell said access to decision-makers was an important part of developing leaders who were prepared to play an active role in their communities.
“Taking participants to Canberra and giving them the opportunity to sit down with members and senators makes our democratic institutions more accessible,” she said.
“It encourages people to ask questions, understand how decisions are made and think about how they can contribute to civic and community life themselves.
“These are upcoming leaders who will return to their communities and contribute through their workplaces, boards, community organisations, volunteering and local initiatives.”
Participant Katie Thorp said the Canberra trip was one of the most valuable aspects of the program.
“It was a unique opportunity to discuss regional challenges and priorities with people who are directly involved in shaping policy and influencing outcomes,” she said.
“The experience broadened my perspective, challenged my thinking and reinforced the importance of advocating for regional communities.”
This year’s cohort will officially conclude their Fairley Leadership Program journey at graduation on October 28, marking the end of an intensive eight-month program.
Funding for the program is being called into question, as Regional Development Victoria originally provided funding, but that ended in 2023.
GMCL continued delivering the program by increasing participant contributions, building partnerships, pursuing grants, philanthropy and significantly changing its operating model.
GMCL board chair Lacey Nicholson said there was a point where short-term grants and annual fundraising could not replace sustainable investment.
“Without something changing, we are facing the very real prospect of the Fairley Leadership Program going into recess in 2027,” she said.
“That is not a decision the board takes lightly ... we know what would be lost if the program could no longer continue.”
GMCL's network now includes 766 Fairley alumni ― its 2026 Alumni Impact Report estimated alumni leadership had generated $35.4 million in social value, positively affected more than 82,000 people, and found 99 per cent of alumni had taken at least one new leadership action following their participation.
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