We are supporting future leaders to develop their skills and make an impact in catchment management through the Our Catchments, Our Communities Leadership Development Grants.
Five Our Catchments, Our Communities Leadership Development Grants totalling $30,280 have been awarded this year, supporting a range of capacity-building activities.
Kai Lane, Eco Warriors Australia, will be supported to host workshops that will teach the youth valuable skills to care for Country.
The workshops, with Barapa Barapa Elder Uncle Ron Galway and Typien Kwe Youth Group, will teach weaving techniques to build Yedabila habitat pods as temporary homes for aquatic wildlife impacted by habitat loss.
Alayka Naidu, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC), will undertake mentorship and training to further develop her skills in nursery management, native plant propagation and ecological restoration.
Her knowledge will be shared with other Wadawurrung staff to improve the quality and quantity of native plants grown at WTOAC’s nursery to support culturally informed restoration projects and land management.
Dr Jaclyn Harris, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, will be supported to undergo mentoring and professional development in ecology and integrated catchment management.
Her learnings will be shared with council staff, community groups and Traditional Owner groups, to be put in practice across the Upper Maribyrnong and Upper Campaspe catchments.
Elisabeth Hebdon and Sam Russell, Urban Guerillas, have both received grants to build their skills in ecological and catchment management, which will then be shared workshops, education and collaboration with the community.
The Our Catchments, Our Communities Leadership Development Grants aim to support emerging leaders in integrated catchment management in Victoria to develop their leadership skills and expertise.
More than $250,000 has been provided through the grants program since it began in 2017.
The grants are an important part of the Our Catchments, Our Communities stewardship program which supports our commitment to managing Victoria’s catchments to benefit our environment, our community and our economy.
Page last updated: 14/11/25