Each year Gardiner Foundation supports a place in the Fairley Community Leadership Program for regionally based people working on Victorian dairy farms or dairy communities.
This year, Kerryn Giorgianni, a Registered Nurse for Echuca Regional Health, will be participating in the program with 22 other community leaders from the Goulburn Murray region.
Kerryn is participating in the Fairley Leadership Program to enhance her leadership potential to engage her community, and lead by example.
“I am hoping to share what I learn with the community – using this as an opportunity to give back and empower others to consider leadership or being more involved in their region,” Kerryn says.
The Fairley Leadership program is run by Goulburn Murray Community Leadership and gives people across the Goulburn Murray region opportunities to develop leadership skills, to explore the major issues facing the region and assist positive change.
Through the program, participants create connections that help them advance professionally and in community leadership roles.
“I am coming from a nursing background. The other participants are from completely different areas, and I am keen to learn from them to inform my own leadership style,” Kerryn said.
Kerry is an incredibly active member of her community and on top of her work as a nurse, the President of the Lockington Consolidated School Council located in the Loddon-Mallee region.
“I have three teenage daughters and I thought about them when applying to the program. I want them to see how small communities work and understand the importance of leading and giving back.
This program involves learning about the challenges faced in the region, becoming part of a network of leaders, having access to continuing educational and networking opportunities to help advance community leadership goals, gain new skills, grow confidence and build self-resilience.
The program officially launched at the end of March and will run to the end of November. It incorporates a mix of study tours, summits, research and a graduation ceremony.
“We have had a strong start to the program so far with the launch, it was intense and made me very excited to be part of the program this year. I have already met some amazing people and I look forward to working with them over the next year and beyond,” Kerryn said.
To learn more about the Fairley Leadership program read: Regional Leadership Programs