Building Resilient Forestry Communities

About

The Building Resilient Forestry Communities (BRFC) program is a dynamic leadership development initiative designed specifically for individuals living and working in Gippsland’s forestry regions.

Launched as a response to the evolving challenges and opportunities within forestry communities, BRFC is inspired by the proven success of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program. While drawing from this legacy, BRFC is uniquely designed to address the distinct needs of the forestry communities with Local Development Strategy Projects - Heyfield, Noojee, Nowa Nowa, Orbost, Swifts Creek and Yarram to enhance leadership capabilities, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the environmental, economic, and social factors shaping the region and their communities while developing practical leadership skills that empower them to drive positive change and grow both personally and professionally.

BRFC is proudly delivered by the Committee for Gippsland and funded by the Victorian Government. The Program is guided by experts and covers leadership topics such as communication, governance, mental health, community development and regional innovation. If you’re interested in supporting the growth of future leaders in Gippsland’s forestry sector, we welcome your involvement.

The Program

BRFC will run June 2025 to mid 2026. It includes individual program sessions, residential retreats, and additional networking opportunities, each designed to build leadership capacity, community engagement, and resilience:

  • A Launch event and Graduation ceremony at the start and end of the Program

  • Residential overnight stays and site visits across Gippsland

  • Leadership Program Day sessions on key local themes and challenges

  • Industry Connections Events to help broaden participant networks and exposure to other industry leaders

Sessions will be held monthly across various Gippsland locations, providing participants with diverse learning environments and regional context.

The program is highly participatory, blending workshops, field-based learning, storytelling, and practical exercises. It supports both personal growth and community leadership development through exposure to diverse perspectives and real-world problem-solving.

BRFC participants will:

  • Develop resilient and adaptive leadership qualities

  • Strengthen their communication and advocacy skills

  • Engage in collaborative projects with real impact

  • Learn from leaders in a broad range of sectors

  • Explore the unique strengths and needs of forestry communities across Gippsland

  • Join a network of peers and mentors committed to regional progress

Community Projects

An essential element of the BRFC experience is the opportunity for participants to design and deliver community-based projects. Working in small teams, each group chooses a project that addresses a real issue or opportunity within a forestry community. These projects serve as a platform to test ideas, apply leadership lessons, and make tangible contributions to local resilience.

 

You can contact Program Coordinator Cara Carter from Committee for Gippsland at cara.carter@gipps.com.au or 0493 371 782 for more details.

Applications close Thursday 10 July

Please note, the Google form doesn’t allow you to save your progress until you are logged into a Google account. We suggest creating and saving your responses on your computer and then copy them across when finished. You can also download our fillable PDF application form here, once completed please email to cara.carter@gipps.com.au.