In this episode we cover everything from the big plans and ambitions of community groups, to how we think about the building blocks of what leadership is, and how we support and foster a strong community sector.

“Allowing the community to excel and thrive has been evident in this program, where we’ve worked with people that they felt heard and listened to, and then trusted to go and do what they considered was the right solution, or the solution for this place; and it is the people of a place that will make that place better or stronger or more engaging...” — Carolyn Ardler.

You’ll hear from Carolyn Ardler from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, Nicole Weber from Quality Matters Consulting, Alex Boulgakov from Renewable Cobargo, and Vanessa Spinelli from Grow the Future. Each has been connected to the IRCF Program (Investing in Rural Community Futures Program). The IRCF’s aim is to support and strengthen the capacity of grassroots NfPs, enabling them to have a positive impact on overall community well-being. In less than two years, the program engaged about 150 organisations and trained 45 community leaders in the Bega Valley Shire.

We're excited that The Bega Valley Investing in Rural Community Futures Program was a finalist at the NSW Resilient Australia Awards (2024), and was “Highly Commended” in the Resilient Australia Local Government Award category.

A critical aspect of regeneration is the way in which it illuminates what a community needs.

The Bega Valley was hit hard by the Black Summer bushfires, so the idea of regeneration is both literal and figurative. A crisis is a turning point for any community — a time when local people face overwhelming challenges, placing community leaders at risk of burnout. In the wake of significant disaster, when day-to-day life has been so utterly disrupted, communities galvanise in unprecedented ways, and are often inspired to reimagine the future. This can result in the initiation of hugely ambitious projects, as people are reinvigorated by seeing the power community collaboration and connection have to ensure the sustainability of community groups and not-for-profits (NfPs), and the leaders who help drive them.

Series links:

• Bega Valley Shire Council

• Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal

• Investing in Rural Community Futures Program

• Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

Interviewees:

• Ep 1:

  • Eden Visitor Centre

  • Palliative Care Australia

  • Bega Valley Business Forum

• Ep 2:

  • Eden Killer Whale Museum

  • Potoroo Palace

  • Police Citizens and Youth Club (Far South Coast)<...