Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

Gemma Hart works as a Youth Programs Manager at Dunn Lewis Youth Development Foundation. The mission of the organisation is to provide access to services and create opportunities for all youth to live their best lives, by developing programs and undertaking outreach services. 

Participating in FRRR’s IRCF Program supported Gemma to further develop leadership skills and form new connections. Gemma has shared what she got out of being involved and how this has fed into the vital and impressive work she does with youth in the Ulladulla region.

What did you get out of being involved in IRCF, from a leadership and personal development perspective?

Being involved in the IRCF program gave me benefits on multiple levels. I learned more about my own leadership style, how to work in ways that enable the quieter voices in a room to be heard, and how to design workshops and programs that are more collaborative and that utilise a systems approach. But perhaps the most beneficial thing for me was that the programs brought several leaders together in the same room, from the broader region, which enabled us all to learn from and connect with each other in ways that ensured future collaborations.

What did you learn?

I learned more about the strengths in my leadership style and how to apply it, I learned a variety of ways to present problems and collaboratively find solutions. I learned several techniques to bring people together in a space and problem solve, and I learned that there are so many passionate, community-focussed people in my region that are wanting to support their communities in amazing ways.

How have you applied what you learned?

I use many of the techniques I learned for group work and problem solving with the young people I work with, I definitely use my own leadership style more now and I have actively collaborated with quite a few people and groups from around my region that participated in the same events. Those connections have been invaluable for me as a lone operator in the service I work for. It has been amazing to know that I have more people in the region I can collaborate with when designing projects, people that are just as passionate about community as I am.

What would you say to anyone else thinking about stepping up and getting involved in IRCF, or investing in leadership development activities?

Do it, don’t hesitate, don’t second guess anything. I really wasn’t sure what to expect from any of these events at first, but they far exceeded my expectations. The connections and support you will have from other participants when you leave is priceless. When you work in community, often on a shoestring, there is so much benefit in collaborating with other people and services who want the same things for their communities. And there is so much you’ll find others have done and are willing to share so you don’t have to ‘reinvent the wheel’ so to speak. It improves your projects, and the outcomes of everything you try to do.