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Northe Calls for Commitment to GCLP

Calls for continued funding for GCLP.

By Portal Admin - 2nd April 2019 - Back to News

Member for Morwell Russell Northe yesterday in Parliament questioned the State Government’s longterm commitment to developing local leadership talent in Gippsland and across Regional Victoria.

"In Parliament last evening, I called upon the State Government to continue to provide funding for quality leadership development programs in the Latrobe Valley, by committing to the Gippsland Community Leadership Program, or GCLP", Mr Northe said. "I’ve been a long standing, strong supporter of this brilliant program, which allows not only the development of local leaders to guide us through uncertain times, but creates an empowered network of alumni that continues to build relationships across the region - well into the future".

State Government funding of GCLP and the 9 other regional community leadership programs that operate across Victoria ceases very soon, and without further funding being provided these important programs will be potentially lost to Gippsland and other regional areas.

The Victorian Regional Community Leadership Programs (VRCLP) the peak representative body of the 10 leadership programs had previously called for a State Government funding commitment of $11 million over four years, which is a small ask given the benefits these programs deliver. More than 3,700 regional leadership alumni have graduated from these same leadership programs.

Recognised as an important and beneficial program by a wide range of leaders of our region, our own GCLP provides development of future leaders through quality education, sharing of ideas and opportunities to participate in community events and forums. Currently delivered by the Committee for Gippsland, GCLP is also partly funded by the community through a mix of private and corporate partnerships with Local Government.

"However, the State Government has not yet declared if they will support the program into the future, which is why I’ve called upon them in Parliament to make that pledge to the people of Gippsland", Mr Northe said. "We need to ensure the continual progression of leaders and provide opportunities for local people to access high-quality programs such as GCLP for the long-term".

"Particularly as we are experiencing the fallout of significant challenges in the local area, such as closure of major employers and economic uncertainty, we need to ensure we are developing strong leaders to transition us into a bright and positive future", Mr Northe said. "GCLP delivers high caliber graduates and we want to continue this meaningful growth in our community"

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com