The LMCLP 2017 Opening Retreat at Billabong Ranch was an opportunity for all participants to come together and to learn more about themselves, the program and their team.  The group started the year true to their shared, agreed values, to participate with authenticity, presence, fun, challenge and empowerment, in a safe space.

The program consisted of a Welcome to Country and discussion about the meaning and significance of this formality and ceremony, some discussion about hopes for the program year, and about ‘What is Leadership’ from an LMCLP perspective.  This was followed by some team-building activities with skilled facilitator Tim Adam from ‘Seat of Your Pants’ Consultancy, a session on critical self-reflection, an introduction to ‘About Me’s’, and Bob & Heather McNaught’s now famous, and highly effective Personality Styles session complete with washing lines and balloons: ‘Working with Ourselves & Others’.  Participants were also inspired hearing from Graduates Elaine Hamilton (LMCLP 2014, Echuca) and Jason Hensley (LMCLP 2016, Cohuna) as they shared their community projects stories together with CLLM Graduates Manager Mel Mann, as part of a session on the Community Projects element of the program.  We also spent a bit more time on what to expect in the year ahead, and with a bit of down time for connecting.

There were lots of laughs and lots of sighs of relief as participants came to feel more comfortable with each other and the program, and lots of excitement and momentum for the year ahead.