Bill Boehm is last year’s recipient of the Department of Transport and Regional Services Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) scholarship. Bill is the Administrator of the Roxby Downs Council and writes of his experiences of the course.
A major focus of the course is on increasing general knowledge, improvements to self-awareness and relationships and personal leadership skill development. The 18-month period is intense, but enjoyable.
The experiential learning component of the course is outstanding and, for some, life changing. Contemporary issues such as globalisation, multiculturalism, indigenous heritage and social welfare are examined and debated.
Specific leadership skills are expanded through sessions such as negotiating, media training, mentoring and organisational development. The lessons are all transferable back into the workplace so that the employer can notice immediate benefits. However, compared to other traditional courses there is some potential for significant personal change which, whilst positive, may need managing.
The quality of the presenters is outstanding. Many are leading their industry and provide an excellent basis for reviewing contemporary issues.
The other course participants come from a variety of rural backgrounds such as the fisheries, cotton, rice, onions, forestry industries as well as the banking and government industries. All participants are encouraged to become part of the wider Australian Rural Leadership Network of previous course participants. This provides an outstanding opportunity.
Many of our specific issues have parallels elsewhere. Aside from having to reinvent the wheel, regular examination of work done at a local level provides balance and stimulus to our own specific Local Government issues.
The sort of initiatives that I have been able to put in place as a direct result of the course include the following.
- Increased partnerships with local businesses, school and community groups and government departments, which has led directly and indirectly to additional funding for Council projects as well as personal development of local community leaders.
- Expanding local influence at a state and national level through participation on various boards.
- Broadening the active role of Local Government away from the traditional service delivery – reactive role – with greater emphasis on community development.
As a person with a number of formal tertiary qualifications I can say that this Program has far more relevance to my sector than many formal avenues of study, because the learning’s focus is on developing people, rather than systems.
This is of course the heart of successful Local Government.I encourage you all to look at the application for this year’s ARLP to see if it suits you and your Council. Bill Boehm, Roxby Downs.
Applications for Course 10 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program opened on 1 April and will close on 30 June 2002. Application forms can be obtained from website at www.rural-leaders.com.au or by telephone on (02) 6281 0680.
