The concept of community leadership was first developed in Australia through the Williamson Community Leadership [now known as Leadership Victoria] program. This was established in 1990, and since that time, it has made a significant contribution to leadership skills in Melbourne and throughout Victoria . As a result of the successful running of this program there have been 11 community programs established throughout Australia using a similar model, with necessary changes to reflect different community interests, infrastructures and profiles.
During its eleven years of operation, there have been over 300 Williamson graduates, with an average of 30 graduates each year. These people meet several times a year as an alumni, and are encouraged to interact with each other, and with the current year group for the benefit of both.
The alumni commit to increase their civic involvement by using their professional skills to help community organisations and to accept positions of responsibility across the community. They also commit to help each other personally and professionally, and use the network for the common good, and not just for self-interest.
The network that this group of Williamson fellows has created throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria, and now the wider Australian community is of invaluable assistance to the individual graduated the participants in the current year program, and the various communities, which are served, by the graduates.
• Creation of the Fellows concept is imperative for participants to be attached to the program and know their enhanced path.
• Continuance of the Exploration and Promotion into the Fiji community of emerging leaders for the program, and ultimately, promotes the proposal to other Pacific Island countries.
• Program Review and Monitoring. This involves the review at the end of each event and at the end of the year internally. External leadership groups to further enhance and improve the program will carry out external reviews.
