The Science of Climate Change

When we think of climate change images of icebergs melting or Greta Thunberg protesting alone in Sweden spring to mind; however, our Leadership Great South Coast Climate Mitigation and Adaptation program day provided us with a local perspective. Each of our innovative and inspirational speakers used science in different ways.

Science- to know where we are and scenarios for the future. Marty Gent from the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority explained the CSIRO climate modelling for the region; less rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events, to some may not seem to be something which will effect them. Consider the impact of longer and more frequent heatwaves; to our most vulnerable these can be deadly, putting pressure on emergency services, our environment and our infrastructure.

Science- to give a baseline and help plan for the future. Johnny Gardner from South Mokanger, a Nuffield scholar and member of Farmers for Climate Action is working with AgVic to measure the emissions from his farm. Data in this case is collected from many different sources one of which is the methane emissions from stock. This has been scientifically calculated using a machine where a sheep is enclosed and the methane it expels measured. Using this, and other data, Johnny and wife Maddie can envision their future and using science can put actions in place to get there. Pasture type, genetics and soil management all play a part in reducing emissions.

Science- used in new ways to create a circular economy. Who would have thought chemistry could be so innovative? Elisha Nettleton from Sustainable Plastic Solutions is doing just that by looking at plastic from a molecular level. Where we might see bailing twine she sees the polymers and the opportunity to return plastic to its original use, ending the process of plastic being down-cycled or going to landfill. Not all plastics are the same, so rigorous testing and knowledge of the chemical nature of plastics combined with as a discerning eye on the market is circular economy in action.

Science- individual impact. Finally, Juan Donis and James Allen from Southern Grampian left us with the sobering thought around what individuals can do to assist in climate change mitigation and adaption. It’s the choices; from choosing unpackaged foods to swapping your mode of transport; where we make a difference, the science is there- each of us needs to just do something.

Thank you to each of the speakers for taking the time to inform us about climate mitigation and adaptation. Thank you also to Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority for sponsoring the day and to Wannon Water’s Ripple Effect Grant for the merchandise sponsorship.

Nicole Wood, 2023 Leadership Great South Coast participant

The Power of Project Management

Date: Friday 19 May 2023

Location: Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning, Hamilton

Facilitator: Jenny Holliday, Non Profit Training

Syndicate Team: Chris, Claudia, Jo-Anne and Nicole

Purpose: This Program Day will demonstrate the importance of project management capabilities.

Leadership Development: As a leader you will enhance and develop project management skill.

Personal Development: You will reflect on your role in a project team.

Participant reflections, learnings and key takeaway messages:

“Prepare well and thoroughly to set a project up for success.”

“Set good expectations, be prepared, have good resources and goals, good communication is key.”

“Critically think about the project, spend time planning will save heartache in the long run.”

“Preparation and the setting of SMART goals is key to ensure the forward momentum of a project.”

“I liked the curious questions Jenny provided and plan to use these in my work/volunteering life.”

Curious questions:

• • Help me to understand…
  • Where in the process will you be …
  • Can you define … for me
  • If ‘this’ happened, what would you do?

Leading Well – Life lessons and how we measure success.  

As a leader, how do you measure success? Success is something you need to define yourself. It can change any given day as to the mood and mindset you are in.  

To be a successful leader, we need to take control of our mindset by cultivating good mental resilience through self-care. 

The happiness pie was something we learnt on our Leading Well program day, from our guest speaker Dr. Jodie Fleming, psychologist and author.  

The happiness pie suggests there are three factors that determine our level of happiness: 50% is genetics, 40% is the choices that we make and only 10% is our life circumstances.  

What happens in our lives only makes up a small part of our happiness. It is the choices, the mindset and how we choose to react to the situation that will determine the outcome.  

“Prevention is better than a cure, self-care matters”, is another saying that Jodie reinforced.  

Jodie encouraged us all to take 10 minutes of our day to meditate and reminded us to be more present and to make better choices that are in line with our mind, body and soul.  

We meditated with Jodie for 10 minutes and were surprised at how fast the time went. Meditation produces a deep state of relaxation, can eliminate stress and help with sleep.  

Taking time to implement self-care strategies will help us all to lead well.  

I would like to thank our speakers from the Leading Well program day Dr Jodie Fleming, psychologist and author, and Kate Ferris, Advisor, Human Research Ethics, Deakin University.  

Michaela Meade, 2023 Program Participant  

A Day on Country: The Power of Storytelling

Forty thousand years ago, the creator being Budj Bim erupted, spewing his teeth and blood across the lands of the Gunditjmara people. Western scientists suspect that this story may be the oldest ever told. At Tae Rak (Lake Condah), visitors walk through deep time, becoming part of an intertwining story of landscape and lives.

The power of stories and their constant re-telling was a central theme of the LGSC Day on Country. Both of our guides – proud Gunditjmara men Braydon Saunders, Budj Bim Tour Guide, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Corporation and Troy Lovett, LGSC 2020 Alumni – emphasised the power and the centrality of storytelling to leadership. Through the retelling of the stories of the Gunditjmara people and over forty thousand years of continued occupation of these lands, we place ourselves in that history, and bear the responsibility for understanding it.

Learning the deep history and proud present of the Gunditjmara fighting spirit is critical to understanding our region. As well as the Budj Bim creation story, Braydon told participants of the more recent history of the Gunditjmara people, of the Eumeralla Wars and the violence of colonisation – resisted, always, by First Peoples. The consequences of that history live very much in the present of the Great South Coast. Through the power of their stories, both Braydon and Troy demonstrated how the telling of those stories shapes understanding of the present, and how we might walk forward, together.

Through commemorating the past and present of the Gunditjmara fighting spirit, we might embark on that journey. The Heywood Indigenous War Memorial water tower – a 30-meter-high mural commemorating the participation of First Nations peoples in the First and Second World Wars – is a poignant example of leadership through storytelling, and of the impact of Leadership Great South Coast on our region and its communities. After a long campaign for recognition, the Memorial is testament to the power of patient but determined leadership.

After Budj Bim erupted, as Braydon told participants, the Gunditjmara people waited fifteen thousand years to return to their lands. They waited decades for recognition of their participation in two world wars. With the Gunditjmara fighting spirit, they are still waiting for us. As leaders, it is our responsibility to understand and to tell and retell these stories, and to create more space for the Gunditjmara peoples to tell their stories on their terms.

Thank you to both Braydon Saunders and Troy Lovett for sharing their stories with us – stories that are now part of our lives, too.

Emma Shortis, 2023 Program Participant.