Community Leadership Programs and the Government: a Partnership for Building Learning Communities

Unquestionably, rural Australia is under stress with the future of many small rural towns uncertain. To begin the process of reversing these downward trends, there needs to be increased community participation and improved democratic processes at the local level, and a framework through which to manage change. The role of leadership and the creation of learning communities are essential elements for achieving these foundation goals upon which to rebuild community vitality and prosperity. This paper aims to demonstrate the valuable role of existing community leadership programs and their growing cohort of voluntary horsepower, in building community capacity, creating learning communities, and assisting the government and its agencies to implement relevant and effective programs in rural Australia.