Strengthening leadership in rural and regional Australia

Prime Super has been a sponsor of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) since 2015. As a super fund with roots in regional Australia, we are passionate about making a difference in those communities. Run by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF), the ARLP is a leadership course for individuals who are responding to regional, rural, and remote Australia’s most complex challenges. Based on experiential learning, participants get hands-on as they face real-life challenges.

Edwin Kosgey, who we sponsored last year, recently graduated from the program. Originally from Kenya, Edwin moved to Australia for his postgraduate studies and now works in the Kimberley with Far North Community Services, where he focuses on supporting First Nations people with disabilities.

Edwin joined the ARLP thinking it would be just another leadership course, but he quickly discovered it was so much more. From learning to canoe for the first time to spending 12 days camping in the bush, Edwin found himself facing challenges that tested not only his physical endurance but also his ability to collaborate with others from diverse backgrounds.

“It was more than I expected,” Edwin shared. “The ARLP was about leadership, yes, but it was also about understanding perspectives I hadn’t encountered before, and working alongside people who approach things differently. It gave me a broader view of how to lead and collaborate.”

One of the things Edwin values most about the ARLP is the relationships he built through his 15-month journey. “I’ve had great relationships with many of my cohort,” Edwin said. “We’ve set up regular Zoom catch-ups and have already worked on projects together.” They have recently completed a project on the Sunshine Coast, and they’re planning to head to the Torres Strait Islands next year for another collaborative initiative. These ongoing relationships and the support of a diverse network of leaders within the program are helping Edwin continue his work in the Kimberley region.

A key takeaway for Edwin from the ARLP is his renewed passion for giving First Nations people more control over the services they receive. “I want to be part of changing the story, where First Nations people can contribute to what services they want, instead of us deciding for them,” Edwin explained. He is committed to working with the National Disability Services (NDS) and other key stakeholders to develop better service models that address the unique challenges faced by remote communities in the Kimberley.

Edwin’s vision is to create a model where services are not imposed but co-designed with the input of First Nations people. He believes this collaborative approach will lead to more effective, culturally responsive solutions that genuinely meet the needs of the community.

Check out the video below where he talks about the impact of the program and his plans to keep driving change in the Kimberley.