Leaders learn about Pilbara life

The Pilbara was the destination of choice for Leadership WA’s Signature Leadership program field trips last week.

More than 40 participants in the program landed in Karratha for a series of visits to companies and organisations around the region and presentations by prominent local figures.

The group made its final stop at the Karratha Leisureplex on Friday and were joined by City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long and Pilbara MP Brendon Grylls.

Leadership WA chief executive Robin McClellan said regional trips were important to give the program’s participants a snapshot of the entire State.

“One of the reason we’re in the Pilbara is that we are very aware the fact that we are Leadership Western Australia, not Leadership Perth,” she said.

“We have participants ... supporters and stakeholders from all over the State and we need to make sure the leaders we help develop into better versions of themselves understand more about the whole State and so it’s been really, really valuable to be here over the last three days.”

“It’s just been wonderful, and now of course we’re wrapping it up with two of the luminaries of this region.”

The group also visited animal rescue organisation Saving Animals From Euthanasia, where founder Sue Hedley gave a presentation about how SAFE started and her leadership experience.

Ms Hedley said SAFE was honoured to be chosen as a place for Leadership WA to visit.

“(I was) really thrilled with how it went and I felt that people were really interested and engaged and I felt that a lot of them felt quite inspired with what we do and we trust that being leader-type people, that they’re going to spread the word about SAFE and what we do,” she said.

“Someone told me (that) we have very positive energy here — it was great feedback.”

Ms McClellan said the trip to the Pilbara had been worthwhile.

“Just from the three days here I’ve heard people offering employment, I’ve heard people saying (they) want to get involved with SAFE,” she said.

“In the 70 or so hours, there’s this awareness and the connections happening, so we’re very lucky.”

Leadership WA’s Signature Leadership program is a course which informs, challenges and develops participants’ leadership capacity.

It is made up of retreats, seminars, field trips, site visits, and pre-reading, action learning and reflections.