THE UPCOMING state budget will allocate $8 million toward the Regional Community Leadership Program across eastern Victoria for the next four years.
Above: Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing. Photo: William PJ Kulich.
Regional Development minister Jaala Pulford declared last Thursday that the funding will be provided under the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.
The added revenue will assist with the organisation of 10 programs covering both rural and regional areas of eastern Victoria.
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The program will help and encourage both current and new leaders by running classes and using guest speakers, research trips and other functions.
The subsidy will be available from 1 July 2015.
The support will especially allow the Gippsland Community Leadership Program to grow.
The program has been running since 1996 and encourages people to grow into a leadership position over an 11 month period.
Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing said the funding was increased by $2 million to ensure the future of the program.
“This program is important for our community, with more than 450 emerging local leaders graduating from the Gippsland Community Leadership Program,” Ms Shing said in a media release.
“Over the past 19 years, the Gippsland Community Leadership Program has equipped local leaders to work with our community to achieve positive change.”
Committee for Gippsland CEO Mary Aldred said the Gippsland community was excited by the State Government’s decision.
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