General News
15 September, 2022
Program to boost skills in Central Goldfields
A free program designed to upskill residents, businesses and community groups is rolling out in the Central Goldfields Shire, with community members encouraged to get involved. The Central Goldfields Shire Council is partnering with Make a Change...
A free program designed to upskill residents, businesses and community groups is rolling out in the Central Goldfields Shire, with community members encouraged to get involved.
The Central Goldfields Shire Council is partnering with Make a Change Australia to bring Expand Your Impact to the region, an initiative designed for anyone who wants to do more, learn more, connect better and be more effective.
The first time the program has been brought locally, Expand Your Impact is running from this month through to April next year and explores six key areas useful for making change happen, including vision, projects, story and team.
Involvement in the initiative can be through a subscription to resources, attending online workshops or joining a support network, or all three, and Make a Change founder Karen Corr said the program supported participants to improve and expand their abilities.
“Expand Your Impact is a collaborative initiative we’ve been delivering a number of times now for communities, particularly in regional areas,” she said.
“The program recognises there are great people doing great things in their communities and we see there is an opportunity to provide support to help expand the abilities of these people.
“The program is also an opportunity for people looking to make a change, whether that’s for themselves personally, their work or for a community project more broadly, this program helps support that.”
Ms Corr said those who participate in the program improve and expand their skill set, which can be applied to their personal life, work or any other project they are involved in.
“There’s quite a few topics that are covered by the program and they can be applied in different ways,” she said.
“Communication and engagement is something we cover, we also look at how to navigate what’s online, how to more strategically think about what it is you want to achieve, articulating your specific goals and how to turn that into a tangible project.
“We all have lots of big ideas on things we want to make happen and to turn that into a specific, tangible project is sometimes difficult and that is something we cover in this program.
“Another key area we cover is working in teams and with other people — we go through specific skills on how you can actually identify what skills you need to bring onto teams for projects and also once you have a team together, how you work more effectively with them.”
Ms Corr said the program has proven beneficial to past participants and encouraged community members to get involved.
“The main thing is this program is very inclusive so everyone is welcome and it can be applied to so many things,” she said.
“If anyone is thinking about an idea they’re trying to make happen or they’re stuck in some way or are working on a project and want to make it bigger and better, they should definitely come along.
“This is the first time we’ve run it in Maryborough and you will definitely get something out of it, it’s very motivating and inspiring and being able to connect with other people and what they’re doing is great.”
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Chris Meddows-Taylor said he was thrilled to see the Expand Your Impact program on offer to the local community.
“Not only is it free but everyone in our community is welcome. From interested locals, young people, volunteers, sports clubs, community groups, service providers, committees and local businesses,” he said.
“Expand Your Impact is a chance to take some time out for yourself, learn, reflect, build skills, make projects happen and connect with like-minded people in the community.
“We invite anyone interested to take up this terrific opportunity and pursue your goals to make an impact — whether for yourself personally, your business or your entire community.”
To get involved in the program head to makeachange.org.au/expand-your-impact and for more information, contact Karen by email at makeachange@jumpleads.net or call 0483 104 361.