Sustainable Communities – Cohuna, October

LMCLP participants spent two days in Cohuna recently to hear about and engage in sustainable communities.  The group heard from speakers who have experienced the recent challenges of the dairy industry in the area, from the low milk prices to irrigation and water changes. A highlight was a visit to a dairy farm owned by the Fehring family where participants were given a tour at milking time by Max and Clark Fehring, including insights into the workings of a family farm and the highs and lows of the industry. A take home message from Max was to ‘Never forget where you came from, and remember that ordinary people can do extraordinary things’.

With Max’s message fresh in their minds, the participants were then able to discuss what it meant to be an entrepreneur and a leader. Kerry Anderson of KA Rural Enterprises said: “Entrepreneurs are the dreamers, but they are also the doers,” and: “Every failure is a step closer to success.” The leadership lessons continued with a session with CLLM Board member and former Gannawarra Shire CEO Rosanne Kava who helped the group to bring practical leadership into action in their own context.  A lunch cruise on the Wetlander Cruise was combined with hearing about the work the North Central Catchment Management Authority in the Gunbower Forest to protect fauna such as turtles from fox predation, and rare flora from human and grazing pressures. Aunty Esther Kirby was able to provide an insight into the cultural importance of the area to the traditional owners, but pointed out the need to protect it for everyone. To finish off, Steve Loffler from Sustainability Victoria gave a rundown of recent research on what Victorians really think about climate change and renewable energy, with data collected from 3000 phone surveys across the state. This was the penultimate program day for the year-long journey for participants, with a final weekend retreat in Maldon later in the month.

LMCLP participants spent two days in Cohuna recently to hear about and engage in sustainable communities.  The group heard from speakers who have experienced the recent challenges of the dairy industry in the area, from the low milk prices to irrigation and water changes. A highlight was a visit to a dairy farm owned by the Fehring family where participants were given a tour at milking time by Max and Clark Fehring, including insights into the workings of a family farm and the highs and lows of the industry. A take home message from Max was to ‘Never forget where you came from, and remember that ordinary people can do extraordinary things’.

With Max’s message fresh in their minds, the participants were then able to discuss what it meant to be an entrepreneur and a leader. Kerry Anderson of KA Rural Enterprises said: “Entrepreneurs are the dreamers, but they are also the doers,” and: “Every failure is a step closer to success.” The leadership lessons continued with a session with CLLM Board member and former Gannawarra Shire CEO Rosanne Kava who helped the group to bring practical leadership into action in their own context.  A lunch cruise on the Wetlander Cruise was combined with hearing about the work the North Central Catchment Management Authority in the Gunbower Forest to protect fauna such as turtles from fox predation, and rare flora from human and grazing pressures. Aunty Esther Kirby was able to provide an insight into the cultural importance of the area to the traditional owners, but pointed out the need to protect it for everyone. To finish off, Steve Loffler from Sustainability Victoria gave a rundown of recent research on what Victorians really think about climate change and renewable energy, with data collected from 3000 phone surveys across the state. This was the penultimate program day for the year-long journey for participants, with a final weekend retreat in Maldon later in the month.