Nationals’ Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has welcomed participants from the Fairley Leadership Program to the Parliament of Victoria, meeting with local emerging leaders from across the northeast.

The program, run by Goulburn Murray Community Leadership, has been operating for nearly 30 years and focuses on building leadership skills among young and emerging leaders across the Goulburn Murray region.

This year’s cohort includes participants from Benalla, Nagambie, and surrounding towns, ensuring strong representation from the Euroa electorate.

The 2025 cohort brought together some of the brightest community leaders from across the region, including representatives from local councils, water authorities, the CFA, business owners, and other vital areas of community life.

“It was a pleasure to meet with the Fairley Leadership Program participants and hear their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing our region,” Ms Cleeland said.

“For almost three decades, the program has been fostering leaders who are prepared to step up, advocate and fight for their communities.

"That commitment to community leadership is vital in regional areas like ours.

“We spoke about why it’s so important that regional voices feel at home in institutions like Parliament.

Ms Cleeland said each participant reflected on their own leadership journey and that the passion they had was inspiring.

“I was delighted to share some of my insights and experiences as a member of parliament and to help encourage the next generation of leaders across the region.

“Congratulations to the 2025 Fairley cohort on reaching the end of this journey – our communities are better because of your leadership.”