Confidence, courage and adapting to change – these are just some of the skills gained by local recipients of leadership scholarships provided by Bisinella Developments.

Scholarship recipients, Scott Millar, Lisa Emanuel, Brad Ower and Mukesh Jalwal have all completed Activate, an intensive eight-week leadership program run by the Committee for Geelong (CfG).

The foundational leadership program targets emerging regional leaders, encouraging the exploration and development of leadership potential for personal, professional and community benefit.

Activate was launched in 2016 with two pilot programs. Given the success of these programs CfG delivered two intakes this year and will do the same again in 2018. Sixty-nine participants have now taken part in the program since its inception.

After providing four scholarships this year, Bisinella Developments has committed to sponsoring a further eight scholarships in 2018. While the scholarships were initially offered to residents of Lara, this will be expanded next year to include residents of Corio and Norlane. 

Scott Millar, owner of Millars Café at Lara said the Activate program was inspiring and rewarding.

“I really enjoyed the group discussions, learning from other people and their experiences and learning more about what’s going on in the business community in Geelong. It was also beneficial discovering how other business leaders have succeeded, what they have achieved and how they went about it.”

“We are in a little pond here in Lara. To go into the big pond of Geelong and learn about the community a bit more, to represent Lara and to tell the business community of Geelong what we are doing out here was very important and rewarding.”

Activate participant, Lisa Emanuel, runs local Lara acting school The Actors Gym, produces theatre and works as an actress and performer.

She said she was grateful to be sponsored by Bisinella Developments to attend the program which had opened her eyes to future career possibilities and given her more confidence in her strengths, experience and skills.

Tips she learned from guest speakers included being courageous, taking risks, being interested and empathetic of others and adapting to change.

“I knew this program would be a fantastic professional development opportunity but what I have also realised is I am a leader in my own family and community.”

“If you have a genuine interest in adding value to your workplace, community and family through leadership then this program is for you.”

 Richard Bisinella, Development Manager of Bisinella Developments, said, they had received “overwhelmingly positive feedback from the Activate participants this year.

 “We are looking forward to being able to provide eight scholarships next year and expanding this to people in the northern suburbs as well as Lara,” he said.

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

In August, Richard and Bisinella Development’s Managing Director, Lino Bisinella, met with scholarship recipients Scott, Lisa, Brad and Mukesh to congratulate them on their success with the program.

Lino, who started Bisinella Developments, the region’s largest local land development company, 50 years ago, spoke to the group about the importance of balancing work and family life.

 CfG Operations Manager, Rosemary White, said that CfG developed the Activate program after identifying the need for a foundation leadership program that would support and encourage emerging leaders.

 “It’s about building capacity for people to step up with confidence both in their own organisations and more broadly in the community,” she said.

 “We are delighted to partner with Bisinella Developments who are providing these scholarship opportunities. It ensures we have diverse, community representation, and can support places for people who otherwise may not been in a position to participate.” 

For more information about the 2018 Activate program and the Bisinella scholarships contact Janelle Meyes, Leadership Coordinator, janelle.meyes@committeeforgeelong.com.au or telephone 5227 8073.