A few years ago, CEFA began developing an idea based around providing each of our local Education Foundations with the opportunity to send a strong and motivated young leader from their community to a world-class residential leadership camp. This camp would enable participants to significantly develop their leadership and teamwork skills, confidence, interpersonal skills and ability to plan and execute a personal interest project that directly benefited their local community.

Rabobank and the Thyne Reid Foundation supported this vision and provided funding towards it in the form of scholarships, allowing each of the local communities to send a bright star to this seven-day program run by Outward Bound in the Tharwa National Park, ACT. As of 2011, Rabobank became the sole funder of this program, with CEFA’s partnership with the Thyne Reid Foundation completing in 2010.

And so the Rabobank Young Rural Leaders Summit was born.

Rabobank National Sponsorship and Events Manager, Susan Howe, said of Rabobank’s commitment to the program: “Rabobank is proud to support such a worthwhile and life-changing opportunity for rural Australian youth. Every year, the groups collectively demonstrate maturity and enthusiasm throughout the program and the camaraderie between the students is very impressive. We are so encouraged by the support they provide one another and their desire to contribute to their local communities through their community project. We’ve been delighted to learn of the success of these projects and the compounding positive effects that have been achieved for the participants and wider community. ”

Since our first official Summit in 2009, as well the two previous years of National Aspiring Leaders Programs, 90 rural students from CEFA communities have attended this program...and had their lives changed.

The participants, aged 16-18, are selected for their leadership potential and commitment to their local community and invited by their local Education Foundation and school to take part. During the time at the week-long wilderness camp, they are presented with a variety of challenges and opportunities that will help expand their understanding of themselves, their values and what they can achieve as individuals and as part of a team. The students also identify a community project they would like to initiate when they return to their school or community which directly benefits the local region. This community project may be conducted on their own or with others in their community. Outward Bound instructors support participants with the creation of their Action Plan and the participants’ local Education Foundations commit to following up/mentoring them when they return from the program, providing guidance for their program where possible.

Some successful past community projects have included:

• Local volunteering/Helping elderly people;
• Environmental projects/Anti-Bullying campaigns in schools;
• Raising funds for schools in Africa and Afghanistan;
• Organising band events to raise money and awareness for drought/flood relief; and
• Raising funds to build a skate park giving young people in the community something positive to do.

Annabel Gay, Executive Director of CEFA commented on the projects students initiated. “We are always so impressed with the calibre of the students’ project presentations and the lofty ambitions of the projects they plan to implement within their communities – there have been, and there will continue to be, many great community success stories that as a result of the leadership and community spirit these students have shown.”

“This is all about providing rural youth with a chance to fulfil their leadership potential and to bring their new skills and ambitions back to their local communities - and we see this happen every year. One of the other wonderful outcomes of the program is the ripple effect which happens among the students’ peers in response to the increased level of leadership they see being demonstrated by the Summit participants,” Ms Gay said.

Here are some comments from previous participants to future students of the Summit:

• “Don't think about it, just do it. You'll have fun, make friends, step out of your comfort zone and have the best time of your life.” Janet - Goulburn, NSW
• “Go for it, it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” Jock - Narrabri, NSW
• “What I’ll remember most is the indescribably great relationships that will last a lifetime. To achieve greatness, you have to be great. Be the change you want to be. The Summit has allowed me to plan the footprints to the change I believe in.” Jasmine - Temora, NSW

The Rabobank Young Rural Leaders Summit is truly a once in a lifetime experience that is uniquely beneficial for a young person's confidence, self-development and leadership skills. CEFA and Rabobank recognise the strength and success of this program and are very proud of the results achieved by previous participants as a result of attending the Summit.

More information

Please read the article by Sarina Locke at ABC Rural, "Today's scruffy youth are tomorrow's rural leaders" 28/4/11