Pictured are (back row, from left): Christian Cormack, Glenbowen, Bristow Hughes, Strathalbyn, Buster O’Loughlin, Exevale, Bob Harris, Glencoe, Barry O’Sullivan, Glenalpine, Reid Muirhead, Weetalaba, and (front row) Lucy Pepper, Terry Creek, Garlone Moulin, Mt Pleasant, Jessie Norman, Mt Aberdeen, Leanne O’Sullivan, Glenalpine, Tom Murphy, Tabletop, Mick Comerford, Exmoor.

A LEADERSHIP program, developed specifically for graziers in the Bowen and Collinsville region, has kicked off.

Thirteen local producers have signed up to the program that has been designed by NQ Dry Tropics’ Landholders Driving Change (LDC) project.

LDC project manager Lisa Hutchinson said the aim was to provide members of the Bowen Broken Bogie (BBB) catchment grazing community a structured and supportive pathway for personal and professional development.

“Leaders are the life-blood of small towns and rural communities. The success of community development efforts often rests with the degree of leadership locals are willing to provide,” Ms Hutchinson said.

“This program promotes leadership development in a rural context, developing leaders who understand what it takes to lead in a regional environment.

“It supports young people wanting to grow their skills as well as established leaders wanting new ways to engage with their community.

“One of Landholders Driving Change broader goals is to build capacity and capability in the BBB grazing community, and we hope this program will become a lasting legacy for the project.”

Program participant Leanne O’Sullivan, of Glenalpine Station, said she looked forward to enhancing her knowledge, skills and understanding of community governance.

“This first workshop has highlighted the importance of each individual needing to develop fundamental communication knowledge to enable us to engage constructively with our community to ensure it thrives and is sustainable,” Ms O’Sullivan said.

Reid Muirhead, of Weetalaba Station, said he looked forward to enhancing his knowledge, skills and understanding of emotional intelligence and teamwork.

“It’s exciting to be part of an enthusiastic and committed group of people who are keen to build interpersonal, self-management and personal skills to help us improve and promote a well connected industry and successful businesses,” Mr Muirhead said.

The program consists of four two-day workshops delivered by some of Australia’s leading trainers and facilitators including Jill Rigney, of The Right Mind, Jo Eady, of Rural Scope, James Aldon, of PD Training, and Julia Telford, of Engage and Create Consulting.

The Landholders Driving Change project is a Burdekin Major Integrated project funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.