Applying for GCLP

Applications may be lodged at any time for the following year's program. Applications usually close in late October each year. The actual closing date for next year’s program will be posted here when it has been determined.

1.) The Gippsland Community Leadership Program, the first established in regional Australia, has operated successfully since 1996

2.) The Program :

• Identifies emerging leaders and supports the continuing development of our future community leaders; 
• Brings together selected leaders from diverse backgrounds across the whole of Gippsland during the Program year;
• Provides an entry into the GCLP Graduate Group and a continuing leadership involvement.

3.) Participants are drawn from profit/non-profit private sector business, union, public sector, rural, arts, community and volunteer agencies.

4.) Candidates are chosen on merit, based on five criteria:

• Proven leadership record with clear potential for further growth;
• Above-average achievement, with at least five years relevant experience;
• Capacity to enter senior level of management in Gippsland industry, community organisations, commerce, or education generally; 
• Potential to contribute significantly to the wider community; and 
• Willingness to accept the required time (and energy) commitment.

Selection will be based on ensuring a mix of sectors, location, age and gender, but also includes a strong preference that at least two participants reside or work in each municipality throughout Gippsland.

5.) The program of planned activities includes 14 full day and evening workshop/seminars each two or three weeks for nine months (usually involving sessions with senior identities from relevant fields), a mid-year reflection and review, and two two-day retreats (the first on a weekend in February). It also requires an individual community development project initiated through involvement in the participant's network or local community; examples are mentoring of a young person or promoting leadership to local community groups.

6.) Regional, state, national and international speakers discuss significant issues with Program participants, who also benefit from involvement in major regional developments, information-sharing initiatives and communication networks.

7.) Conducted under the auspices of i-GAIN Quality Learning, the Program is largely funded and supported by the Gippsland-wide sponsors - with some Government and external foundation support.

8.) In addition, a number of (mainly) Gippsland bodies have provided significant in-kind support, including hosting of program sessions, loan of equipment and access to facilities.

9.) Experience so far confirms the values of primarily addressing issues affecting growth, prosperity and social cohesion within the Gippsland region with a view to: 

• Creating a better understanding of all aspects of regional activity
• Identifying and evaluating the effects of internal and external forces, and
• Encouraging leaders to work together to positively effect change on pressing regional issues.

Instructions & Advice

You can email your request for an application form and submit your completed hard-copy as per the instructions on the form.  Alternatively, go to the GCLP website and follow the links to apply on line.

1.) The selection panel uses the criteria detailed above (see section 4). Please read these carefully.

2.) Please complete each section in full.

3.) Type or print clearly all answers.

4.) Limit answers to available space.

5.) One testimonial or letter of recommendation will be required

6.) Nominees must have the full support of the organisation or corporation they represent. Individuals may nominate themselves.

7.) Application must be signed by both candidate and employer, where applicable.

8.) All applications will be acknowledged upon receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement please contact the Program Manager on 5135 4304.

9.) A selection of applicants will be interviewed by the Panel during November. All applicants will be advised of the outcome by December.

10.) Attendance at the two weekend sessions is mandatory. Nominees must be able to attend the schedule of 14 workshops/seminars. Those who fail to attend regularly will be asked to withdraw.

11.) GCLP is committed to encouraging a broad range of candidates from diverse backgrounds and areas to nominate for the GCLP. Individuals, or supporting organisations, should NOT be discouraged from applying for economic reasons. Bursaries covering part or all of the individual contribution may be available for self funding applicants.

12.) All nominations are subject to confidential evaluation by a selection panel.

13.) For each program intake a balance mix of gender, location, profit/non-profit, public/private leaders from diverse sectors of the community is needed.

14.) Applicants will need to convince the selection panel of their ability and of their willingness to allocate sufficient time to successfully complete this program and an ongoing commitment to join the GCLP Graduate Group in community development activities.