Bisinella Developments has committed to sponsoring eight scholarship places in 2018 for the Committee for Geelong’s (CfG) Activate leadership program.
Activate is a foundational leadership program that targets emerging regional leaders and encourages the exploration and development of leadership potential for personal, professional and community benefit.
This is the second year Bisinella is providing Activate scholarship places, initially offered only to the residents of Lara. However, due to last year’s success, it will also be offered to residents from the northern suburbs of Geelong.
The first Activate program started on 3 May and will run until 21 June 2018 with the second intake from 26 July to 13 September 2018.
Confidence, courage and ability to cope with change just some of the skills gained by local recipients of last year’s scholarships.
In 2017, Bisinella provided Activate scholarships for four Lara residents – Lisa Emanuel, Scott Millar, Bradley Ower and Mukesh Jalwal.
Lara actress and performer Lisa Emanuel said the program opened her eyes to the possibility of transferring skills she developed from performing to other professional fields.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Geelong’s emerging leaders. It’s fantastic they (Bisinella) are so focused on our northern area,” Emanuel said of the scholarships.
“The program allowed the participants to hear from some wonderful leaders in our Geelong community and take away some wise advice. Personally I resonated with the notion that we are leaders not only in our workplace or community but in our families as well,” she said.
Since taking part in the program Emanuel has put her business acting school The Actors Gym on hold and is currently working with international fashion house Louis Vuitton as a guide for the luxury brand’s Time Capsule Exhibition at Chadstone, sharing stories about the label’s 160 year history.
Fellow 2017 scholarship recipient Scott Millar, owner of Millars Café in the Grand Lakes Estate, Lara said the program taught him about the importance of mentors and seeking advice and guidance.
“The quality of guest speakers we were presented with each week was fantastic and listening to their stories of success resonated with me and my personal goals,” he said.
“The importance of giving back to the community and supporting others was also something which really struck home with me.”
Bradley Ower is currently studying his Masters of Secondary Education at Victoria University and is involved in running soccer clinics for Geelong primary school students.
He said it was an honour to receive a Bisinella scholarship.
“I would thoroughly recommend the Activate course for anyone who is looking to grow as a leader, both within their business and for their local community”.
Richard Bisinella, Development Manager of Bisinella Developments, said being able to support future leaders from Lara and the northern suburbs through programs like Activate was very important to the organisation.

“The Activate program provides a fantastic platform for Geelong’s future leaders to gain vital skills to help them on their journey,” he said.

“We are looking forward to being able to provide eight scholarships this year and being able to expand this to people in the northern suburbs as well as Lara.”
CfG Operations Manager, Rosemary White, said it will be fantastic to see more opportunity for emerging leaders this year.

“The CfG is delighted to continue our partnership with Bisinella Developments and have their support for our Activate leadership program,” she said.

“Following on from last year’s success, where we had four Lara residents learn and thrive from participation in the program, we look forward to working with more emerging leaders from Lara and the northern suburbs and inspiring within them that same level of self-confidence and leadership capacity.”

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.