Networking, the art of communication and how to step outside your comfort zone are just some of the skills gained this year by recipients of a Bisinella leadership scholarship.
Bisinella Developments sponsored eight scholarship places in the Committee for Geelong’s (CfG) Activate leadership programs for 2018.
This is the second year Bisinella has provided Activate scholarship places, which were initially offered only to the residents of Lara. However, due to last year’s success, it was expanded this year to residents from the northern suburbs of Geelong.
The foundational leadership program targets emerging regional leaders and encourages the exploration and development of leadership potential for personal, professional and community benefit.
The first Activate program started on May 3 and ran until June 21 with the second intake from July 26 to September 13, 2018. There was a total of 30 participants across the two programs.
Topics covered included strength-based leadership; values; adaptive leadership; networks and supports; leading with influence; social leadership; plans and pathways.
Residents of the northern suburbs and Lara who are interested in developing their skills are encouraged to apply for a Bisinella scholarship in the CfG’s Activate programs for 2019.
Earlier this month, Bisinella’s Managing Director Lino Bisinella and Director Richard Bisinella hosted a morning tea in Bisinella’s boardroom, to congratulate scholarship participants on completing the program.
Five of the participants were in attendance including Fiona Bennett, Sharelle McGuirk, Emy Simsic, Jax Biddle and Lorraine Kulic.
Ms Bennett works at Leisure Networks, a local not-for-profit disability services provider and is also the Chairperson of Lara Netball Club.
She said she would “strongly recommend the program to anyone keen on strengthening our northern suburbs”.
“For anyone engaged in community activities or programs, this program is a great way to connect more broadly, increase understanding of the various communities that make up our entire region and to meet people so we can create a partnership and make a difference together.”
“The scholarship is such a generous way for Bisinella to assist people to build their skills and capacity to strengthen our region which is so important.”
Ms McGuirk, who works as an Advisor in Population Health and Community Wellbeing at the Department of Health & Human Services said the course was informative and engaging.
She said she learned, among other things, the importance of leading with influence and the value of networking.
“The course enabled me to think and reflect on the type of leader I'd like to be. Additionally it was great to meet other participants in the program, who I might not otherwise have met in my daily work.”
“A standouts for me was hearing from Corrina and Marsha (two local, successful Aboriginal women) and Catherine Bell. I also believe that the variation of local leaders, their journeys and their words of wisdom were insightful and also thought provoking.”
Fellow scholarship participant, Lorraine Kulic is the office administrator of RPC Technologies and the Vice President of the Lara Giants Basketball Club.
Ms Kulic said the program was “hugely beneficial”.
“I would definitely recommend anyone wishing to expand on their personal and business development attributes to take part in this course.”
She said one of the biggest lessons she learned from the Activate program was based around public speaking and networking.
“I was always lacking in confidence in this forum and have found an inner confidence in handling these situations.”
Bisinella Director, Richard Bisinella congratulated the eight scholarship recipients and all of the remaining participants, on completed the Activate program.
“Bisinella is a proud supporter of the Activate program which provides significant support to emerging leaders of our city.”
“It was wonderful to be able to expand the program this year to include future leaders from the northern suburbs as well as from Lara.”
Bisinella is based in Lara and has a proud history of successful residential and industrial development which date back more than 54 years.
One of the region’s largest land development companies, Bisinella is responsible for facilitating investment and generating thousands of jobs directly and indirectly.
“A large focus of this is in Lara and the northern suburbs,” Mr Bisinella said.
CfG’s Leadership Coordinator Janelle Meyes said “the Activate Leadership Program scholarships – generously offered by Bisinella Developments – provide an invaluable opportunity to emerging leaders from Lara and the northern suburbs of Geelong”.
“Successful applicants receive the opportunity to further develop their personal leadership style; knowledge of Geelong; and increase their networks.”
“We are sincerely grateful for the Bisinella Developments partnership and look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship.”
For more information about the Activate program and the Bisinella scholarships contact Janelle Meyes, Leadership Coordinator, Committee for Geelong, janelle.meyes@committeeforgeelong.com.au or telephone 5227 8073.