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Leadership Development

Unlocking the power of people

The ARRC is first and foremost a charity. We offer the below services to the waterway management industry to help fund our ongoing work, collaborating with partners to expand our impact. Learn more about our charity work here.
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Healthy rivers start with empowered people, strong networks, and leadership at all levels of an organisation. Our leadership and mentoring programs are designed to cultivate confident, capable, and connected individuals, inspiring action across local groups and the waterway management sector.

Natural resource management is a particularly challenging sector for professionals trying to meet the increasing demands of climate change, population growth, declining river health, and diverse community needs. Our industry must develop resilient people and strong industry networks to meet these challenges — this is our social capital.

ARRC equips individuals and organisations with the leadership skills needed to work effectively with teams and stakeholders for sustainable waterway management. Whether you're a government agency, environmental group, or NRM organisation, we help you invest in your most valuable asset: people.

What we offer

Tailored workshops

Build the skills needed to lead with purpose and courage in the natural resource management sector.

Mentoring programs

Match early-career professionals with experienced mentors to accelerate growth, retain talent, and build industry knowledge over time.

Conference presentations

Sharing insights into effective leadership and ongoing development across industries.

Team building & facilitation

Strengthen communication, trust, team satisfaction, and collaboration by booking an ARRC speaker to facilitate your event.

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Group of people collaborating around a round table with papers and drinking glasses during a workshop with a 'Welcome Workshop One 2024 Day Two' presentation on screen.
Group of people collaborating around a round table with papers and drinking glasses during a workshop with a 'Welcome Workshop One 2024 Day Two' presentation on screen.

Why it works

Our programs draw on over 18 years of experience working alongside communities, industry professionals, landholders, scientists, and policy-makers. We combine deep sector knowledge with an inclusive and relationship-based approach that inspires real change.

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Our mentoring approach is grounded in social science and industry tailored communications resources, helping participants:

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  • Communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, from property owners to politicians
  • Gain confidence as emerging leaders
  • Strengthen cross-sector collaboration
  • Embed lasting cultural change within your organisation

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Let’s shape a future where people and rivers thrive together.

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Why work with the ARRC

  • We have 18+ years of experience delivering projects that protect and restore Australian rivers.
  • By engaging with the ARRC, you support our charitable mission, making a meaningful contribution to restoring and protecting our rivers for current and future generations.

Talk to us to learn more about our leadership and mentoring services.

Contact Us

Our Clients

Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority

The Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

River Basin Management Authority

Murray–Darling Basin Authority

Case Studies

Select Case Study
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Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Mentoring Program

Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program

Client:
Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority;
The Victorian Government – Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action;
River Basin Management Society.
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Group of people collaborating around a round table with papers and drinking glasses during a workshop with a 'Welcome Workshop One 2024 Day Two' presentation on screen.
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“The program exceeded my expectations. I have been involved in other mentoring programs before and none of them quite stuck for me. Through this program, I have not only developed a good network of current and future emerging leaders, I also feel more confident and a sense of validation about my work interests."
Prachi Samir (DEECA)
"It is much more than a mentoring program — it is a rounded suite of activities that help participants build the skills and networks important for becoming more effective waterway managers."
First Consulting Evaluation Report
“Each opportunity to present in such a comfortable setting has really improved my confidence in public speaking. That comfortable setting was the product of all the great different exercises and the welcoming vibe that the ARRC team created in those workshops."
Henry Cooper (Corangamite Catchment Management Authority)
“Successful programs are underpinned by shared vision and collaborative relationships. The ARRC team help to build both using people-centred approaches to mentoring, leadership and science communication. Using genuine engagement and partnership approaches to build connections based on empathy, the ARRC are making a difference in river health management and leadership.”
Sarina Loo (VEWH)
“What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to network with like-minded people in my industry in a less formal setting. I found the content delivered by the ARRC team at the workshops really valuable and have been applying many of the concepts learned at work and in life.”
Mentoring program participant
“I most enjoyed the in-person sessions that Siwan facilitated. They were always challenging and energising and I learnt a lot. They forced me to reflect on my own style at work and think more objectively about my own state of mind and what I bring to work.”
Helen Roberts-Ferguson (Yarra Valley Water)

Overview:

This mentoring program was developed to drive leadership and innovation in the water and catchment management industry. The ARRC facilitated and delivered this program in partnership with the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, pairing mentors and mentees to develop a project that tackled an issue in waterway management. It ran for 8 years, combining hands-on practice with professional development.

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Impact:

  • 110 mentors and mentees engaged
  • 55 innovative waterway projects
  • 30 organisations involved
  • 27 training workshops delivered across VIC, SA and ACT
  • 100% of mentees reported improved confidence
  • 92% improved professional and interpersonal skills
  • Over 80% expanded their professional networks
  • Participants maintained and leveraged these networks post-program
  • Ongoing benefits included job promotions and adoption of new practices within organisations

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An independent evaluation by First Consulting (2018) found this program to be unique, well-targeted, and strategically aligned. It encouraged the evolution of the program to further support alumni networks, expand diversity, and secure sustainable facilitation into the future.

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View program website
Learn more:

Podcast episode: Why Mentoring Matters

Project: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Mentoring Program

Client:
Murray–Darling Basin Authority
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"Such an invaluable opportunity for great training and investment in our people from an inspiring team! The space that you created for people to feel safe enough to show who they are and have confidence to grow cannot be under-estimated. Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, and considerable skills!”
Dr Janet Pritchard (Senior Director, MDBA)

Overview:

We developed the Emerging Leaders Program for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, bringing together participants from across the MDBA, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, and ACT and NSW Governments to build relationships, leadership skills and capacity within waterway management projects.

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Impact:

  • 20 participants equipped with new networks, leadership skills and capacity to make impactful management decisions
  • 10 months of supported project development
  • An ongoing investment in social capital, building connections that enable fulfilling work and personal lives
Learn more:

Program Graduation

Workshop 1 Recap

Workshop 2 Recap

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Contact us to learn more about our leadership and mentoring services.

Contact Us