The Gardiner Dairy Foundation, in partnership with the Victorian Regional Community Leadership Program (VRCLP), is pleased to announce that applications are now being sought for the 2018 VRCLP scholarships.

Gardiner funds 10 VRCLP scholarships for dairy farmers and industry stakeholders through Leadership Great South Coast, Gippsland Community Leadership, Loddon Murray Community Leadership, Fairley Leadership and Alpine Valleys Community Leadership.

Mary Harney, Chief Executive Officer of the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, strongly encourages members of the dairy community to apply for the scholarships on offer.

“The scholarship programs offer highly beneficial opportunities to budding leaders and we would like to encourage all interested members of the community to apply. Unparalleled training and skill development will be provided through the scholarships, with the aim of enhancing the capabilities of not only the involved parties, but also their businesses and the wider dairy community,” said Ms Harney.

Katrina Baddeley, Chief Executive Officer of the VRCLP, is thrilled to have such a breadth of regions involved in the programs.

“The VRCLP scholarship programs provide fantastic opportunities for future dairy leaders to enhance their skills and network with other leaders in the community. Candidates from these regions are strongly encouraged to challenge themselves and apply,” said Ms Baddeley.

Previous recipient Harriet Bawden of Shepparton, was awarded a Fairley Leadership scholarship in 2017 and has reflected on how she has benefited from the opportunity.

“Having moved to the region only two years ago, my participation in the program allowed me to meaningfully connect with the community, meet passionate leaders and put my own plans in place to initiate developments in the region.

“The skills that I learnt as part of Fairley Leadership have served invaluable and I thank the Gardiner Dairy Foundation for providing me with such an incredible professional development opportunity,” said Ms Bawden.

The open and close dates for each local VRCLP are outlined below, with further information available at the respective websites:

Leadership Great South Coast – now open until 11 October

http://www.leadershipgreatsouthcoast.org.au/application-2/

Gippsland Community Leadership Program – now open until 27 October

http://www.gclp.asn.au/applications

Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program – now open until 13 October

https://cllm.org.au/lmclp/apply2018/

Fairley Leadership (Goulburn Murray) – now open until 27 October

http://www.fairleyleadership.com.au/apply/

Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program – open April 2018

http://www.avclp.org.au