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.
