Held on Yorta Yorta and Bangarang Country, the day brought together regional leaders to explore cross-border collaboration, local governance, community organisations, healthcare, volunteering and First Nations partnerships.
Andrew Fairley opened the day, reflecting on the origins of the program and the importance of developing leadership capacity within regional communities.
In 1997, Ross McPherson approached Andrew with concerns that regional leaders were being drawn away from regional areas to Melbourne.
Together, they supported the establishment of the program to strengthen leadership in the region.
Andrew challenged participants to see Fairley as more than simply a good experience, encouraging them to consider what they could contribute as a result of the opportunity.
The theme of leadership through action continued with Moira Shire Council administrator Graeme Emonson, and Berrigan Shire Council’s first Indigenous female mayor, Julia Cornwell McKean.
They both shared their leadership journeys and explored the realities of working across the Victorian-NSW border.
The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration on issues — with a focus on what needed to be achieved rather than which side of the border an issue sat on.
Fairley fellow and Women of the Murray founder Stacey Taylor and former Goulburn Murray Community Leadership executive officer Nathan Bibby shared their experiences of community leadership and connection.
Stacey spoke about creating a model that made volunteering more accessible, with governance managed by five directors, while regional co-ordinators could focus on bringing people together through local gatherings.
Nathan encouraged participants to think about what came next after the program, reminding them to give themselves time to allow family and work to catch up.
He encouraged the cohort to remain open to opportunities, seek feedback and have conversations with people they trusted, while considering a simple question when making decisions: “Will it make my community better?”
Strategic thinking was the focus of the next session.
NCN Health chief executive Mark Ashcroft introduced the concept of ‘Strategy as Practice’ to participants.
He encouraged them to keep strategic plans agile and turn organisational values into practical ‘I will’ statements.
The day concluded with Helen from Sporties Barooga sharing the story of Bullanginya Dreaming ― explaining how the trail reflected living culture and stories that continued.
Throughout the Place-Based Day one message stood out to the 2026 cohort: Leadership is not about having a title ― it’s about taking responsibility, building relationships and being willing to contribute.
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