Held on Yorta Yorta and Bangarang country, the day brought regional leaders together to explore cross-border collaboration, local governance, community organisations, healthcare, volunteering and First Nations partnerships.
Andrew Fairley opened the day, reflecting on the origins of the program and how he was approached, in 1997, by Ross McPherson with concerns that regional leaders were being drawn away to Melbourne.
Together, they supported the establishment of the program to strengthen leadership in the region.
Andrew challenged participants to see Fairley as more than simply a good experience, encouraging them to consider what they could contribute.
The theme of ‘Leadership through Action’ continued with Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson, and Berrigan Shire Council’s first Indigenous female mayor, Julia Cornwell McKean.
They both shared their leadership journeys and explored the realities of working across the Victorian-NSW border, with a focus on what needed to be achieved rather than which side of the border an issue sat.
Fairley fellow and Women of the Murray founder Stacey Taylor and former Goulburn Murray Community Leadership executive officer, now chief executive at Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business, Nathan Bibby shared their experiences of community leadership and connection.
NCN Health chief executive Mark Ashcroft introduced the concept of ‘Strategy as Practice’ to participants.
He encouraged them to keep strategic plans agile and turn organisational values into practical ‘I will’ statements.
The day concluded with Helen from Sporties Barooga sharing the story of Bullanginya Dreaming, explaining how the trail reflected living culture and stories that continued.
Throughout the day, one message stood out to the 2026 cohort: Leadership is not about having a title; it’s about taking responsibility, building relationships and being willing to contribute.
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