Last week, we celebrated the graduation of the 2023 cohort from the Williamson Community Leadership Program. Leadership Victoria are proud to welcome these 62 inspiring leaders into our extensive and trusted Alumni community and also recognise them as Williamson Fellows.

At the Graduation, Charlie McMullin, one of two Valedictorians, delivered very apt words to summarise the year from a Williamson Fellow lense. 

“The way the year has come together – the foundational nature of each theme and activity providing a platform for what comes next (an analogy that I enjoy as an engineer) has been a real delight. No doubt we’ve all taken or noticed different things at different times: perhaps some lightbulb moments or more a slow and steady plod, or times of genuine panic or uncertainty.

We may have come with anticipation of big changes, and some of us had big breakthroughs early, some later and some are just around the corner – no matter how it has appeared for us, as we heard from our leadership promises, we have all taken plenty on board – or discovered some good stuff that was already there, sitting just under the surface – perhaps a consulting side hustle or something.

As a cohort, we have the beginnings of our own legacy to be proud of. We have a sustained focus on work with our First Nations brothers and sisters despite macro headwinds. And the introduction of the Inclusion Cup into the Williamson tradition has encouraged conversations about inclusion and universal access. These are but two examples of this group’s awesome work.”

Charlie went on to state:

“At a time when it seems like there are too many important issues to deal with, I am heartened by the fact that this group – who were strangers to each other 9 short months ago – have come up with such great ideas, and great work in and amongst everything else we have going on.

It was a working reminder of a few things:

That the things that can divide us are miniscule in comparison to the things that bring us together: belonging, respect, laughter, feeling valued, feeling heard.

That we have to acknowledge and check our privilege, however intersectional or varied it may be.

That it can and must be possible to hold multiple things as true at the same time.

That remembering these things is often the job of a leader – although not remembered by all leaders. Or as I heard it summarised recently: “you can’t have a moral compass with a needle that isn’t moving.”

And of course, somewhat relievingly, that wheel finally makes sense – a reminder that it doesn’t start and stop, and that while our Williamson year may have ended, the connections and the most interesting work continues. In fact, I was talking this week to a good friend about what an experience it’s been and how it’s a bit sad that it’s had to finish, but we realised that you couldn’t do this again – it wouldn’t be the same.  We need to remember that, much like leadership, being part of this group is an activity – and that is not a static word. We will need to take it forward in our own way, which I am confident we will do.” 

Thank you Charlie for allowing us to share your words with the wider LV community.

Although we have now officially closed out the Williamson Community Leadership Program for 2023, this is not the end. We look forward to continuously working with our newly graduated alums to lead with purpose, amplify their leadership impact and fulfil their leadership promises to leave a lasting impact in their organisations, communities and beyond.

A further thank you to everyone who has contributed to any and every aspect to the program throughout the year, from venues to speakers to special guests and hosts, we are grateful and appreciative for your unique input. Finally, a big thank you to our facilitators for 2023, Katy McDevitt and Jon Eddy, your work in making the program what it was this year has not gone unnoticed.

We hope that our extended LV community joins in celebrating this special moment and congratulations again to our Williamson Fellows 2023!

 

 

 

Williamson Fellow	Employer
Adam Murdoch	Energy Safe Victoria
Allison Howell Quinton	University of Melbourne
Amanda Lawrie-Jones	Accessible Action
Amanda Handley	Medicines Development for Global Health
Amelia Condi	Summer Foundation
Amy Robinson	Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project
Angela Sormaz	Transport Accident Commission
Angela Erwin	Barwon Health
Anna Stephenson	MCCC GP Training
Annette Davis	Monash Health
Ariana Kurzeme	Alannah & Madeline Foundation
Brydie Quinn	Able Australia
Caitlin Oliver	Department of Families, Fairness & Housing
Charlie McMullin	Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP)
Christina Earls	DuluxGroup
Christine Leahy	Corval Group
Debbie Shiell	Austin Health
Fatima Everitt	Dreamtime Art Creative Consultancy
Georgi Fairley	FPPV Architecture
Georgie Dwyer	Berry Street
Georgie Birch	City of Stonnington
Gillian Denison	Future Fund
Greg Christison	Fire Rescue Victoria
Hisney Nowfal	Middleton Group
James Seow	Monash University and City of Port Phillip
Jay Mueller	Australian Football League
Jessica Bartik	Department of Premier and Cabinet
Jithma Beneragama	Amazon Web Services
Jo Curtin	Community Broadcasting Foundation
Joe Murfet	Department of Transport
Joe Youssef	Department of Justice and Community Safety
Julia Oxley	Monash Health
Kelly-Ann McKinnis	ANZ
Kevin Kapeke	VicHealth
Kieran Lenehan	Fire Rescue Victoria
Kiran Khan	Annecto
Leigh Saunders	Aborigines Advancement League
Lisa Cox	Northern Health
Liza Raynes	ANZ
Mark Cochrane-Holley	City of Melbourne
Martina Murray	Melbourne Theatre Company
Melanie Cook	Cook Beattie & Associates
Natalie Boston	Vicinity Centres
Natalie Donohoe	Premium Health
Nina Klein	Ambulance Victoria
Paul Davies	Leisure Networks
Peta Owen	Ambulance Victoria
Rachel Elliott	Australian Football League
Rachna Madaan-Bowman	South East Community Links
Ranya Shahwan	Worksafe Victoria
Ross Connor	Department of Transport Victoria
Sally Baker	EBM RentCover
Sam Read	Sexual Health Victoria
Sarah Naarden	Initiatives of Change Australia
Steve Coldham	City of Casey
Sue Anderson	Co Squared
Susanne Newton	Darebin City Council
Tanya Wolkenberg	City of Melbourne
Tighearnan Corcoran	Department of Family Fairness and Housing
Timothy Binks	Department of Education & Training
Tish Tambakau	Beyond Blue
Tom Connell	The Royal Children’s Hospital

 

*Employer as at time of Williamson 2023 recruitment (November, 2022) Please note that employments may change over time and will not be reflected here.