Reef Ecologic, together with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ALRF) and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) invite regional leaders to an upcoming Future Forum in Townsville - aimed at strengthening the region’s network of local leaders and equipping them with the latest data for the region, so they can drive the positive changes they want for their communities.
The upcoming Future Forum, part of the Leading Australian Resilient Communities (LARC) program, is being led locally by Reef Ecologic. It will be held in Townsville on 21 September.
The LARC program will deliver a combination of place-based multi-day leadership sessions to identify challenges, opportunities and what underpins them; as well as webinars; group coaching; and support for practical, community led projects. This Future Forum in Townsville is the first step where community stakeholders can learn how it works and how they can participate.
ARLF CEO Matt Linnegar welcomed the collaboration with Reef Ecologic and the team’s strong local knowledge which will help ensure the program’s success.
“The LARC program, and the partners involved, recognise that true resilience is not merely about ‘coping’ or ‘surviving’, but about change, readiness and opportunity,” he said.
“The Charters Towers to Reef community has experienced its share of challenges. This program is about investing in those who know their communities best to help guide its recovery and make the most of opportunities that come their way.”
Reef Ecologic Founder and Managing Director, Dr Adam Smith, recognises that the Townsville community has faced significant challenges with COVID, climate change and increases to the cost of living that have impacted many local people, businesses and communities. He appreciates the opportunity to gather together and share stories and learn from the combined expertise and resources of the ARLF and RAI that will equip local and regional leaders with valuable information and skills.
The one-day forum is a free event with guest speakers RAI Chief Economist, Dr Kim Houghton behalf of the RAI, the ALRF’s Director of Learning, Andrea Hogg, and the Australian Resilience Centre’s Paul Ryan. Opportunities as part of the RAI’s latest economic and social data specific to the Charters Towers to Reef region will be shared.
RAI CEO Liz Ritchie encourages like-minded community members to come together for focused and deep conversations.
“This is an opportunity for people living and working in the Charters Towers to Reef region who are passionate about their community, to work collaboratively to build a positive future for their region,” Liz Ritchie said.
“The forum will focus on building strong local networks, combining resources and sharing knowledge, skills and expertise in the interest of their communities.”
To register for the Charters Towers to the Reef Future Forum, visit https://events.humanitix.com/charters-towers-to-the-reef-future-forum
To learn more about the LARC five-day leadership experience, with 26 scholarships on offer in the Chartres Towers to the Reef region, visit https://apply-rural-leaders.smapply.io/prog/larc/
LARC is delivered as part of the Australian Government’s Building Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative (Pilot) grant.
Media enquiries:
Dr Adam Smith
Reef Ecologic
0418 726 584
[email protected]
Nicky McMillan
Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
0439 438 500
[email protected]
Alexandra Macaulay
Senior Communications Manager
Regional Australia Institute
0409 652 465
[email protected]