A total of 25 participants from across the Surf Coast Shire have graduated from this year's Casuarina Community Leadership Program.
The annual program, which started in February and finished in early June, helps participants develop their leadership skills and progress change in their community.
With a focus on hands-on learning, the program teaches practical skills such as project management, effective communication and engagement and provides advice on how to apply for grants.
A graduation was held virtually via Zoom on Saturday 5 June, where the graduates pitched community project ideas they developed throughout the course.
"The projects included bringing little athletics to the Surf Coast, yarning circles to support reconciliation and understanding, and a mentoring program for young emerging artists," Mayor Cr Libby Stapleton said.
"There were so many inspiring ideas presented, and most importantly new connections and relationships formed that will provide the backbone for future community development."
"The course is very practical in nature and has resulted in 17 diverse community projects in the pipeline, all of which will benefit our community in one way or another," she said.
Mayor Stapleton congratulated the participants on completing the course and investing their time in learning more about how they can contribute to the community.
"The Casuarina Community Leadership Program is all about empowering one another to create a more connected, caring and sustainable community. Congratulations to the graduates and I wish them all the best with their projects and their leadership journeys."
Casuarina Community Leadership Program graduates (who live, work or volunteer in the Surf Coast Shire):
Anglesea: Wendy Clarke, Sally Groom, Samantha Gault and Julie Martin.
Bellbrae: Mollie Vaughan.
Deans Marsh: Miranda Jarvis.
Gnarwarre: Annika Naylor.
Jan Juc: Nicole Dickmann, Ferne Millen, Lucy O'Grady, Regina Sawyer, Brooke Murphy and Margaret Foulkes.
Mount Duneed: Georgia Pearson.
Torquay: Murray Middleton, Claire Osborn, Sharon Valentino, Priti Jitendra, Amber Potter, Merrin Wake, Angela Rodaughan and Ngoni Kwashi.
Winchelsea: Richard Colin Lockie, Alasdair Baird and Sylvia Maseyk.
