Feature Profiles
16 January, 2026
SUMMER READING - JOURNEY OF GROWTH
Loddon’s three 2025 leadership program graduates reflect on their year and plans for the future
Katie Drummond-Gillett
FOR graduate, Katie Drummond-Gillett, of the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program “was completely life changing and amazing.”
As an agricultural educator and horticulturalist Katie’s interest lies in the land and the belief, we should always leave the land better than we found it.
Through the program Katie has been able to grow her skills to create community projects related to agriculture.
“I’ve gained so many skills throughout the program.
I’ve learnt skills for doing community projects and for interacting with people and groups professionally and personally,” Katie said.
“It was also great because I’m relatively new to the area, so I was able to meet lots of people in the community and connect with them.”
Katie’s main project has been rejuvenating the Inglewood Botanical Gardens with support and input from members of the town.
“It’s a place with loads of potential and I wanted to get the community involved with the project, so it wasn’t just one idea but lots of ideas to make sure it’s a space everybody wants,” she said.
Looking ahead Katie said she’s “committed to working closely with Landcare network to build the capacity of local groups including strengthening their ability to lead, collaborate, and deliver meaningful environmental outcomes.”
“Succession planning and attracting younger members remain ongoing challenges, especially in rural areas, addressing these issues will be my key focus.”
“It was a lot of work but an amazing experience that I’m so grateful to have been able to take part in, I’m especially grateful to the North Central Catchment Management Authority for sponsoring my place in the program,” Katie said.
James Stewart
PARK ranger James Stewart is planning to help kids “unplug, get wild and back into nature” with a junior Landcare group.
James recently graduated from the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program and is looking forward to continuing “researching, building and networking with schools, allied organisations and advocates in launching a Junior Landcare group.”
James said the program helped him “realise that my way of seeing the world and doing things is only one way of countless possibilities. What I deem is the right, logical, and the obvious way to complete a task or resolve an issue is a personal interpretation.”
“We all see the world through our own lens based on the lived experience that shaped who we are through the unique positive and negative childhood and life experience and opportunities, as well as our past education and work history,” he said.
Over the next 12 months James intends to continue to work with the Loddon Plains Landcare Network to conserve and protect local land and establish a junior Landcare group to get kids involved.
Alex Mountjoy
Sponsored by the Loddon Shire Council, Alex Mountjoy has graduated from the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program.
Alex, a resident of Bears Lagoon is heavily involved in his community and always ready and willing to step up and provide support. He has an extensive list of his involvement in community groups leadership positions. These include Training Officer for the Jarklin CFA, President of the Bears Lagoon Tennis Club, President of the Jarklin Hall Committee and host of the Mallee Young Blokes Bible Study.
For his community project throughout the program, Alex focused on the Jarklin Hall.
