Leadership Program

The Leadership Program

The Leadership Program provides an accredited set of leadership competencies for 25 people with a leadership. This program is open to all who apply through a publicly advertised process.

Our partners in the Leadership Program 2005 are the Office of Training and Tertiary Education (OTTE), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Tafe, and the participants themselves. We also have the support of a range of sponsors to host the workshops and seminars.

The program begins with a retreat where the participants will select 12 themes. The themes are the areas from which Leadership Plus will draw speakers for the subsequent six three-day workshops. The Program participants will have the opportunity to engage with, and learn from, a broad cross-section of Victoria's leaders. The model is based on that used by Leadership Victoria.

Participants are engaged in three core elements of the program:
· Theory (delivered by RMIT)
· Witnessing Leadership (Guest Speakers)
· Experiencing Leadership (Syndicates)

As this is the first Leadership Program for people with disabilities run by Leadership Plus, we believe it is necessary for an independent evaluation. We have commissioned an evaluation from the Equity Research Centre.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The following are the overall objectives for the Leadership Program. The learning objectives for individual participants will be drawn from, or at least, related to these.

· To provide a learning environment tailored to the learning needs of people with disabilities.This learning _should be facilitated in theoretical, practical and on-the-job contexts.
· To enable People with Disabilities to develop leadership capacities in the social, environmental and _business sectors.
· To provide people with disabilities who are in work, to develop and progress their career paths and, for _those in voluntary community based employment, to further develop their employment opportunities.
· To provide an opportunity for leadership accreditation and on going post-secondary education for _people with disabilities.
· To provide a base level leadership set of competencies that enables people with disabilities to _participate in mainstream leadership programs.

These learning objectives will be underpinned by the leadership competencies prescribed by RMIT, and agreed to by the program participants as being relevant and important to their development as leaders.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

· Leadership achievements that show a positive impact on the broad community, business, environment _and/or cultural sectors
· Connections they have made between individuals with disabilities and others in the community.
· A positive vision for Australian/Victorian society that has a place for people with disabilities and leaders _with a disability
· Potential to contribute at a national, state or regional level.

Themes, Venues and Speakers for 2005 Program

DECEMBER 2004 - OPENING RETREAT:
Four Points at Sheraton, Geelong

Theme: "Leadership and Regional Development"
· Heather Wellington _________Chairman, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute
· Lenny Jenner _____________Director, Community Services, Golden Plains Shire
· Sue De Gilio _____________ Chief Executive Officer, Barwon Health
· Roger Grant ______________Executive Director, Geelong Otway Tourism
· Beth Davidson ____________Mayor, Surf Coast Shire
· John Henry _______________Associate Professor, School of Social and Cultural Studies in _________________________Education and Research Director, Deakin University
· Michael Dowling ___________Director, Dowling Corporate Consulting Pty Ltd

FEBRUARY 2005 SEMINAR:
Storey Hall, RMIT Tafe

Theme 1: "Australia's Future some critical issues"
· Fiona Smith (keynote) ______ Chairperson, Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria and ________________________ Business Licensing Authority
· Mary Crooks Executive _____ Director, Victorian Women's Trust
· James Ensor _____________Director of Public Policy, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad
· Suzette Mitchell ___________ Executive Director, International Women's Development Agency
· Paris Aristotle ____________ Director, Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (VFST)
· David Green _____________ University Lecturer School of Social Work and Social Policy Latrobe ________________________ University, Alternate Chair of the Multiple and Complex Needs Panel

Theme 2: "Innovation and Creativity"
· Peter Binks (keynote) _______CEO, NanoVic
· Tim Murphy ______________ Executive Director, BioMelbourne Network
· Charles Day ______________Managing Director, Melbourne Ventures Pty
· Stella Clark ______________ Chief Executive Officer, Bio21
· Walter Thomas Head _______Molecular Endocrinology Baker Heart Research Institute
· Di Fleming _______________Director lab.3000 - Innovation in Digital Design, Associate Professor in _________________________Digital University, Alternate Chair of the Multiple and Complex Needs _________________________Panel

MARCH/APRIL 2005 SEMINAR:
Yarra Room, Melbourne Town Hall

Theme 1: "Influencing the Agenda"
· Bill Deller ________________Chair, Victorian Peace Network
· Cath Smith _______________Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS)
· Andrew Bolt ______________Columnist & Commentator, Herald Sun, Brisbane's Sunday Mail, _________________________Melbourne's 3AW, Brisbane's 4BC, Adelaide's ABC radio
· Mark Considine (keynote) ____Director, Centre for Public Policy, Department of Political Science,
_________________________University of Melbourne
· Cam Walker ______________National Liaison Worker, Friends of the Earth
· Patricia Reeve ____________Policy Consultant, Council on the Aging Victoria

Theme 2: "Social Issues"
· Anne Turley (keynote) _______Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Citymission
· Samiro Douglas ___________Manager, W.I.R.E. Women's Information
· Susan Barton _____________Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Lighthouse Foundation
· Paul Smyth _______________General Manager, Social Action and Research, Brotherhood of St _________________________Laurence
· Chris Jennings ____________Project Worker, Violence Against Women with Disabilities Project, _________________________Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre
· Bronwyn Morkham _________National Director, Young People in Nursing Homes Project (YPINH)
· Peter Norden _____________Policy Director, Jesuit Social Services

FURTHER THEMES FOR 2005:

· "Leadership in the Arts" and "Law and Human Rights"
· "A Safer Society" and "Diversity"
· "Youth" and "Leading Through a Time of Change"
· "Caring Communities" and "Changing Workplace, Changing Lifestyles"

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 2005 PARTICIPANTS

	Amilia Thio Amilia has just completed her studies at The University of Melbourne. She majored in Political Science and Art History and later completed her Honours thesis focusing on the Disability Employment Service Sector - examining specialised employment services and the Job Network services and how it affects jobseekers with disabilities. She wants to begin her career in the government sector, slowly moving into public affairs. She wants to raise awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities in society. Her other interests include travelling and furniture design.


	Anthony Bartl Anthony is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Media Studies at La Trobe University. He hopes to be a journalist. The things he hopes to gain out of the Leadership Plus Program are to be a better leader, to be able to manage his team of nurses better, and to further his career in journalism. Anthony is 24 years of age. In 1986 he was hit by a car travelling at 60kph, from which he consequently became a C1 quadriplegic. He has been disabled 19 years this year, but notes that it doesn't seem that long. He has remained positive about his disability and it doesn't get in the way of living a normal and full life.


	Carol Roeder Carol is the Chairperson of the Latrobe Valley Arthritis Support Group in Morwell and an Arthritis water exercise leader. She is a community representative for the Disability Action Plan Reference Committee in the Latrobe Valley, and the Treasurer for the Gippsland Linking Local Action Network Committee. Carol was born in Melbourne in 1961, and is the youngest of four children. She is married to Det, who has a son of 27yrs. She has a daughter of 18yrs, and together they have a son of 15yrs. She lives in Gippsland, a University Town called Churchill. She likes spending quality time with her family, meeting with friends, lawn bowls, swimming and helping others.


	Felice Tanya Vaiani Felice is a Goth and Wiccan with an academic background in Women's Studies, Literature and Professional Writing and Editing. An ultimate outcome of the Leadership Plus program for her would be to work in mentoring women and children facing discrimination or assault. She has a strong belief that almost anything can be changed to benefit society if one just campaigns and fights passionately, and that there is defiant strength in numbers. Felice is a 27 year old woman from Hawthorn East, Victoria with Cerebral Palsy as her main disability. Her leadership aspirations began as a child at Yooralla Special School, Glenroy.


	Garry Hammer Garry is heavily involved with both Wellington Shire and Latrobe City's Disability Action Committees. Acting as the Chairperson for both groups, he assists in identifying the needs of people with a disability with the aim of making all of council's assets inclusive for the whole community. His professional experience has been in dairy farming whilst his personal interests have recognised a need for Resource Management and Sustainability. With 18 yrs as a dairy farmer combined with a Diploma in Natural Resource Management, Garry has been an active resident in the Macalister Irrigation district and has developed a keen interest and understanding in Gippsland's farming practices and varied Landcare issues.


	Heather Forsyth Heather is a Self Advocacy Worker. She supports people with a disability to stand up for their rights. She is interested in helping support people with disability to communicate effectively and would like to see more community support for people with disabilities. Heather is active in many community organisations and is a member of the Disability Advisory Council of Victoria. Her hobbies are knitting and community radio where she conducts interviews. Her husband supports her to communicate effectively to the wider community and the world.


	Jenny MacPherson Jenny has been actively involved in the disability movement for approximately fifteen years. She has been a part of a number of campaigns including a more equitable public transport system, the scratch ticket system, the removal of tram conductors, and the removal of guards on trains. She was also part of a team that designed and delivered information sessions about the Victorian Disability Service Standards to people with disabilities. She is currently a member of a number of community organisations, who advocate for more appropriate services for people with disabilities. These include Attendant Care and housing just to name a few. Jenny lives in a unit in Melbourne with her cat Evie.


	Julie Anderson Julie is currently working at the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, which is the peak body for mental health consumers in Victoria. She obtained this position through her experience of having input into mental health services whilst suffering from mental illness. Apart from her job, she is the President of a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Service - PDRSS called Neami Ltd. She is on the Committee of Management at the Mental Health Legal Centre as well as other community committees and planning groups. Her passion is human rights and social justice, and her goal is to study Law and be a community lawyer.


	Kerry Murray Kerry is a volunteer at Community Access Mental Health Alliance as a Mental Health Advocate and Adult Educator and covers topics such as Depression and Recovery. She is 46 and was born in Australia. She was educated to year 12 at Ringwood High School. Her interests are walking her two dogs and tending her garden. She is active in her church, enjoys music, movies, coffee and cake with friends. Her life comment would be to "Take a blank space and make it yours as there's only input, never failure".


	Kevin Boyce Kevin is a committee member of his local disability advocacy group and on several advisory councils such as the Transport Accident Commission and has studied at TAFE Warnambool in the disability advocacy area. Kevin is working with the Department of Human Services and the local council on areas of access to services such as, schools, service clubs, sports and retail business. Kevin has a keen sense of value and questions the marketing attitude of some retailers. Kevin has experience in running small business and would like to question why his money is not as accessible as others to goods and services.


	Lev-Ari Bachar Lev is a 28 year old Industrial and Management Engineering final year student. He is currently involved with Monash University Inclusive Practice Advisory Committee where he represents the needs of his fellow students with disabilities. He sees his future in the corporate and industrial sector promoting responsible management and creating opportunities for people with disabilities. At the age of 13 after a long and difficult period, he was diagnosed with dyslexia. To this day he chooses to view this as his biggest gift and the source of his abilities.


	Liz Wright Liz is Chairperson of the Committee of Management of Kensington Adventure Playground, a community backyard that provides opportunities for children to come together and play and learn life skills in a safe and supervised public space. She is also on the Committee of Management for the Playgrounds and Recreation Association of Victoria. She worked at South Melbourne Adventure Playground (Skinners) from 1989 - 2002 leaving after the birth of her daughter. Liz is passionate about children and their rights and of nurturing and encouraging their abilities and talents.


	Mark Thompson Mark is a Board Member of the Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability, Action for Community Living and Disability Rights Victoria in Melbourne. He is also an auditor for his local council and is frequently called upon to assess the accessibility of premises. He is 46 years old. After his yachting accident in 1995 his life changed. At that time he was no longer able to work at his first love - sailing. He became very active advocating for those less able in his community of Ballarat. He found helping others a very positive experience which led him to believe that he could do so much more. He has regained an interest in competitive sailing, and is now swimming in ocean races.


	Melinda Smith Mel works at the Communication Resource Centre in Melbourne, which is also part of Scope Victoria. She is a Community Development Worker and is part of a team of speech pathologists who are committed to the needs of people with complex communication needs. Mel's true passion is poetry and writing. Her third book of poetry was published in 2002, which also includes some of her art work. Living with cerebral palsy has limited her ability to speak, but has not stopped Mel from wanting to be a creative communicator. Today Mel uses an electronic device to communicate, called the Dynawrite along with other computer technology. Mel's performances give people an insight into her life.


	Nadia Mattiazzo Nadia is currently the Victorian Advocacy and Information Officer for Blind Citizens Australia, the national peak advocacy body of and for blind and vision impaired Australians. She currently represents her organisation on a number of Standards Australia Working Groups and several state-based advisory committees. Nadia holds an Arts Degree majoring in Journalism and Politics and has a strong commitment towards equity and equality for individuals of all abilities.


	Peter Rickards Peter played a leading role in developing Recreation and Leisure services for people with vision loss for 26 years at Vision Australia Foundation before being made redundant in 2003. He still finds time to be involved in many social and community activities and has become a passionate advocate for improving employment opportunities for people from disadvantaged communities. Despite losing his vision at the age of eight years of age while living in Africa, Peter has been keenly involved in many sports and recreational activities himself, the highlights of which have been to represent Australia internationally in cross country skiing, athletics, and sailing. In addition to being father to three almost grown up children.


	Peter Waters Peter has a Degree in Community Development, but is currently not working in this area. He is a strong advocate for social change and believes strongly in the rights of people with a disability, and to this end he is heavily involved with the disability advocacy sector. He dedicates his spare time to his local Lion Club putting a little back into the local community. Peter is 35yrs old and was born with Cerebral Palsy. His mobility is such that he uses a motorised scooter to get around but can walk independently.


	Rebecca Evans Rebecca's community connection is with The Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council where she is a Committee of Management Member. She is the Facilitator of a Youth Group auspiced by VMIAC and funded by The Foundation For Young Australians. This Youth Group is called Voices Valued and Validated, a consumer run social group. She is a person who believes true spirit for change comes from the grassroots of where change needs to occur. To end with inspirational words, her favourite quotation, which she believes encompasses leadership and grassroots philosophy - "The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams", by Eleanor Roosevelt. She would characterise herself as a fun loving people person, who tries to surround herself with laughter and smiles.


	Richard Stubbs Richard is the founding CEO of Rural & Peninsula Disability Support Inc, a multiple award winning innovative interactive communication program which he operates from "Girrahween House", his property. Richard is interested in re-enfranchising the disabled with interactive communication and voice activated computers. His special interest is Wheelie Kids IT, a program to get laptops to school children in wheelchairs. Richard retired disabled after an accident in 1991. Previously he was a business executive with 300 staff. Richard lives with his wife Molly and assorted animals on a small farm on the Mornington peninsula and has 4 adult children and 3 grandchildren.


	Robert Pask Robert is self-employed as a graphic designer/print consultant, but his main involvement is as the Victorian Advocate for MS Australia, and is also involved in local issues as a committee member of the local council disability reference committee that task is to get better facilities and services in the local area as well as getting a disability policy put into place. As the MS Advocate he is involved in lobbying federal and state politicians so they are aware of the needs of people with MS and other issues such as Young People in Nursing Homes. He feels strongly about working for people of all abilities to create a more equal society.


	Samantha Marsh Samantha, prior to having children, worked as a Disability Support Worker and hopes to resume this on a part-time basis some time this year. She hopes to change her career to working with animals by studying and volunteering over the next year. She has an interest in environmental issues and hopes to get involved in local activities of this nature. Samantha lives in Melbourne with her partner Aldis and two children, Ulani and Leila. She is currently a full time parent to her two daughters who are 2 yrs and 7 months. Her weeks are spent looking after the girls and involving them in local activities.


	Sara McQueenie Sara is co-founder of CreateAbility Events Network, an innovative model of networking agencies and participants in Performing Arts practice, theatre and Dance parties. Sara is one of the hosts on Channel 31's 'Nolimits" show. She is driven to travel, learn and live. Sara is a young 37yr old and sole parent with Spina Bifida who loves to experience life in all its facets. She loves the arts, street performance, expression, theatre, and singing - anything that can be creative and expressive. She believes the ability to create and have a voice through expression is a powerful medium.


	Sian Cole Sian is a student at Deakin University. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability Studies), and is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Honours). Her goal is to become a psychologist with her main interest in helping people with disabilities, from physical to psychiatric. Sian would like to increase the public's awareness of issues faced by people with disabilities in society, like stigmatisation and isolation in the community. Sian is a member of Arthritis Victoria and is involved in the Young Adults group. She also volunteers for the Richmond Fellowship of Victoria, working with people with schizophrenia by getting them back out into the community.


	Sophy Galbally Sophy's chosen career is Employment Consultant for marginalised people. She would like to take this further and network employers who are prepared to adopt and act on 'diversity in the workforce'. Social justice, human rights and philosophy are her passions. Sophy is continually learning and looking for ways she can best make a difference. When an idea becomes her project she is driven until it is completed successfully. Sophy is married and mother of 4 boys, so has attended many football & basketball games and car shows. She would love to do more creative activities like painting and sculpting and of course retail therapy.


	Steve Eicke Steve researched and wrote about Attendant Care and has been involved with the Attendant Care Coalition [now Action for Community Living] & many of its project groups since funded in 1986, as well he having interests in the Health Issues Centre, Disability Resource Centre, local history, politics and the community generally. Steve acquired a brain injury in 1976 whilst a Medical student, and spent a couple of years in hospital/rehab. He went back to medicine, graduating with a Degree in Science and into work with the Motor Accidents Board [pre-TAC] & Health Commission. He worked on and off for 10 years during which time he acquired further severe and minor neck injuries in separate accidents.

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