Sustainability Program Day 2014

A better future for you and me, because we think sustainability

Whilst the path we follow to environmental sustainability will differ from sector to sector, the goal will always remain consistent. This was one of the key messages delivered to 2014Leadership Great South Coast participants at a recent Program Day in Hamilton.

The Department of Primary Industries Senior Specialist on Climate and Farm Services Victoria, Graeme Anderson set the scene with the first session of the day, educating participants about South West Victoria’s climate story, highlighting where South West Victorian weather systems originate and how they impact.

Peter Reefman, Solar Project Coordinator for Keppel Prince Engineering highlighted the huge potential for renewable energy in the Great South Coast region. Discussing the importance of maximising this potential and challenged each LGSC participant to take personal responsibility and make a difference.

“The Great South Coast Region is a hotspot for renewable energy; we have incredible potential in wind, wave and solar, and also have biomass and geothermal resources” said Peter Reefman
Participants were greeted with near perfect weather conditions for the afternoon field trip to Jigsaw Farms. Led by Mark Wootton and Eve Kantor, Principals of Jigsaw Farms, participants were able to see firsthand the issues affecting farmers in the region and adaptation and mitigation techniques on farm.

There is no doubt that in recent years there has been renewed debate regarding environmental sustainability. The Great South Coast Leadership sustainability Program Day was both powerful and challenging. There are people who make things happen, watch things happen and sit back and say what happened? One thing for certain is that in order to drive any form of change, leadership needs to come to the fore.

Thanks to sponsors RMIT, Mark Wooton and Eve Kantor.

Ethics Program Day 2014

Is ethical leadership relevant in modern times and is there more to it than first comes to mind? At a recent leadership Program Day the 2014 Great South Coast Leadership participants heard two excellent speakers delve into this topic with great passion and skill.

Deakin University’s Prof Greg Wood facilitated an interactive session examining the attributes of ethical leadership and negative consequences when businesses don’t adopt ethical standards.

Simon Illinworth’s personal story about his experiences as a whistle-blower in the Victorian Police in the 1990’s was inspirational, standing-up and confronting unethical behaviour at significant personal cost. His challenge was to ask a chilling question…”what would you do” in a similar situation?

Both speakers emphasised that ethical leadership is a very powerful management approach. When coupled with a focus on developing and sustaining a positive team culture that encourages individuals to reject unethical behaviour, then significantly greater business performance can result. And that makes it a vital management discussion for all businesses in this rapidly changing world.

2014 Opening Retreat

The 2014 Opening Retreat was held at the Surf Club in sunny Port Campbell on 7/8 of February, facilitated by the energetic Corrinne Armour from Extraordinary Future.

The two day Retreat broadened participants understanding of leadership, established group values and processes and provided opportunities for participants to participate in activities allowing individuals to understand themselves and fellow participants better.

The 2014 Program Participants found the weekend both challenging and rewarding providing excellent feedback on their leanings. They are now enthusiastically looking forward to our First Program Day on 21 February (topic Ethics).  

Sponsors Thank You

Leadership Great South Coast would like to thank our sponsors for their ongoing support.

Thanks to our major Sponsor, Telstra, for their support of the 2013 Program Launch and our 2012 Graduation.

Thanks also go to Moyne Shire and Warrnambool City Council for their major sponsorship along with Corangamite Shire, Southern Grampians Shire, Glenelg Shire and Colac Otway Shire for their ongoing support.

Our generous scholarship Sponsors provide annual scholarships across the Great South Coast and across sectors providing equitable access to the annual program.

Scholarship Sponsors include: Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West, Committee for Portland, South West Community Foundation, The Gardiner Foundation and Deakin University.

Thanks also go to RMIT University and the Terang Co Op for their in kind support.