Federation Council proudly celebrated the graduation of participants from the 2025 Tim Fischer Community Leadership Program on April 2, recognizing their achievements in developing and presenting impactful community-led projects.
The program is named in honor of the late Tim Fischer AC FTSE, a much loved and respected former long serving Australian politician who rose to the ranks of leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister in the Howard Government for many years. On leaving Federal Parliament, among many other pursuits, Tim became the Australian Ambassador to the Holy Sea, and was a proud Boree Creek area local resident/farmer, who was passionate about many things including growing leadership in rural and regional areas.
Building on the success of previous iterations, the 2025 program, delivered in partnership with Greater Hume Council and Alpine Valleys Community Leadership, and auspiced by Border Trust, was made possible by funding from the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5.
The graduation event, held in Howlong, showcased the participants' hard work and dedication, and was attended by Federation Council Mayor, Cr Cheryl Cook, Councillor Wearn, and Member for Albury, Justin Clancy.
Participants from the Federation Council area presented the following projects:
Corowa Golf Club Multicultural Festival;
Stewardship of Howlong Natural Environment Parklands; and
Federation Astronomy and Extraterrestrial Interest Group.
The successful graduates from Federation Council included: Roya Arya, Georgia Backhouse, Marj Bolanio Masayon, Annette Borradale, Sandra Broz, Viv Buli, Letiza Carillaga, Martin Clarke, Santa Fabia, and Sam Green.
Federation Council Mayor, Cr Cheryl Cook, commended the graduates for their commitment and contributions.
"It was a privilege to witness the culmination of the Tim Fischer Community Leadership Program and to celebrate the achievements of our participants," Mayor Cook said.
"These individuals have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential and a strong commitment to their communities. The projects they presented are a testament to their dedication and creativity."
Mayor Cook also highlighted the importance of the program in fostering local leadership.
"The Tim Fischer Leadership Program plays a vital role in developing the next generation of community leaders," she said.
"By equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to drive positive change, we are investing in the future of our region. We are grateful to the NSW Government, Alpine Valleys Community Leadership, and Border Trust for their support in making this program a success."
The program focused on key areas such as personal leadership styles, government understanding, grant writing, social media use, and project management. Participants engaged in workshops, online sessions, and project development, culminating in the presentations at the graduation event.
