A CVA Leadership Initiative - Blue Mountains - Conservation Volunteers Australia

Working better together for your community

When the heat is on and the flood waters are rising, we step up and pitch in. We find ways to do what’s needed to support those around us. 

In the wake of those moments, we have the chance to find a little space to focus on how we’re working together to make meaningful change happen in the world. 

The Grass Tree Fellowship is a community-focused leadership initiative supported by a Commonwealth and NSW Government grant, to empower the doers among us.

The Grass Tree Fellowship is coming to the Blue Mountains

Conservation Volunteers Australia has partnered with two skilled guides (Lina Patel and Matt Wicking) to offer a series of four free workshops for building practical skills and connecting, with an optional peer support week to encourage conversation and connection.

Through a facilitated series of evening workshops, participants will be offered opportunities for growth and learning – with the aim of creating stronger, healthier communities and ecosystems for all.

Who is this for?

This special training program has been created for community members, with community input and feedback built into the design. Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background are strongly encouraged to register for the program.

You are encouraged to register for the program if you are:

living or active in the Blue Mountains region
part of a community group, team or network taking action together OR currently getting things done as a ‘team of one’ 
Aged 18 and above

Workshop topics & schedule

A series of four workshops for building practical skills and connecting, plus an optional peer support week.

Getting stuff done – project management for doers [30 May 2023]
Working with groups – facilitation skills for working well with humans [6 June 2023]
Advocating for your project – making connections and successfully asking for what you need [13 June 2023]
Staying buoyant and flexible – understanding what it means to keep on track through times of change [27 June 2023]

Note: an optional Peer Support gathering will be held between weeks 3 and 4 to connect with each other somewhere local, for conversation and connection.

How it works

The Grass Tree Fellowship is free.

Your place in the program is fully funded by a Commonwealth and NSW Government grant.

A series of four online workshops will be hosted by skilled facilitators.

Workshops will include:

Guest speakers from the area and beyond
Facilitated conversations
Pair and small group discussions
Solo reflection

People who enroll in the program are required to attend all four workshops. Workshops are held online, and reliable internet connection is strongly recommended for participation.

For further enquiries, please contact [email protected] or complete the registration form through the link below.

Registration process

Open: Program enrolment begins mid-May 2023.
Close: Registrations close midnight Sunday 21 May 2023

Submit the registration form through the link above. We will get back to you within 72 hours to confirm your participation.

After registering we will invite you to attend an online information session to meet program facilitators, Lina & Matt.

Information sessions

To find out more about the program you can join us in one of the information sessions below. Your guides, Matt and Lina, will be hosting the 45-minute sessions.

Information session 1: 11am Thursday April 27

Attend info session 1

Information session 2: 11am Thursday May 11

Attend info session 2

About your guides

Lina Patel is a poet and facilitator. Her mission is to alleviate needless workplace suffering and bring more kindness into the world, one team at a time. Lina works with people who value positive social outcomes and want to improve how they work. She particularly enjoys working with groups to set good foundations so they don’t get burned out. Lina’s specialty is getting things done, calmly. 
Matt Wicking is an experienced facilitator, host and artist who understands the power of great facilitation and meaningful moments for creating change. Matt works with energy, intelligence and care to support progressive groups to amplify their impact. He has spent many years supporting communities and organisations who want to create a future that’s more just, stable, and kind.

Together, Lina and Matt regularly collaborate to design and deliver programs and projects full of insight, delight and kindness. They have run award-winning sustainability leadership programs, supported purpose-driven organisations, built thriving teams, assisted communities to effectively engage government – and are honoured to have the opportunity to work with people in the Richmond Valley, Tweed Shire and Blue Mountains communities at this important moment. 

Project team

This project is managed by the Wild Futures Team: Kavitha Chinathamby (Project Manager), Renae Riviere (Campaign Director), Jessica Miller (Campaign Director) and Shonnelle Post (Project Officer).

The Restore bushland and enrich local leadership project is jointly funded by the Australian and the NSW Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Conservation Volunteers Australia respectfully acknowledges Traditional Owners and Indigenous Peoples, their rich and dynamic cultures and their continuing unique affinity and cultural obligations for land and sea. We pay our respect to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.

The Grass Tree Fellowship - Blue Mountains