During April, our Williamson Community Leadership Program (WCLP) 2024 cohort has been exploring their second theme of the year: privilege. Our location for last Friday, the Abbottsford Convent, provided a change of pace and a historic backdrop to explore this theme. Our day began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Uncle Bill Nicholson, setting the tone for a day of meaningful dialogue. John Di Natale, Abbottsford Convent COO, then framed discussions for the day within the broader context of creating change in the community through the lens of privilege. Throughout the day, we heard from diverse leaders, Good Human Org. CEO and Founder Rana Hussain, Darebin City Council Mayor Susanne Newton (WCLP '23), former Youth Development Officer Anne Hooker OAM, Ajak & Associates Founder Daniel Ajak, The Ian Potter Foundation CEO Paul Conroy (WCLP '08), Women's Giving Foundation Co-Founder Patricia Burke OAM and Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commissioner Ro Allen (FAICD). During these sessions, we invited our cohort to critically reflect as they explored how they face and mobilise our privilege as leaders for a better society by holding up a mirror to their own leadership journeys. This included determining where the advantage and disadvantage lies due to different facets of one's identity, education and status and understanding where they have been held back or propelled further as a result. Finally, the cohort worked through how they can ensure that they are using their privilege to reach those without, lead more effectively and ultimately create conditions for their organisations and communities to thrive. Thank you to Abbottsford Convent for hosting us and to all our guest speakers for your invaluable insights and for answering many tough and thought-provoking questions from our WCLP '24 cohort! (fb)

Last night, we held the 2024 Williamson Community Leadership Program (WCLP) Welcome Event, officially welcoming the 2024 cohort to the next 10 months of their transformational leadership journey. On the evening, the cohort were joined by Leadership Victoria Leader in Residence Christine Kotur AM, members of the LV Board, 2023 Williamson Fellows as well as Williamson Fellows and Valedictorians from previous years. Building community and enduring networks are key aspects of WCLP and this was evident last night as new connections were built, traditions were carried on and legacies were shared. Traditions such as the long-running gift giving practices of the LV Socks and the newly added Inclusion Cup were presented by Laura Thompson (WCLP '18) and Amanda Lawrie-Jones (WCLP '23). Laura and Amanda have both made a mark in their own way, identifying opportunities to make these practices equitable and inclusive and we thank them for their contributions to the legacy of WCLP. Additionally, 2023 Valedictorians Charlie McMullin (WCLP '23) and Kevin Kapeke (WCLP '23) shared their "To My Pre-Williamson Self" letters - letters that centre on reflecting on their time in the program, with the added advantage of hindsight - were shared, giving the 2024 cohort an opportunity to better understand what lies ahead on their own leadership paths. Thank you Charlie and Kevin for sharing so openly and candidly. We look forward to continuing this journey with the 2024 cohort, following along as they make their own marks, build on WCLP traditions and leave lasting legacies. (fb)