The Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation recently hosted the camp at Narmbool for 19 young leaders from rural and regional towns across Victoria.

Seven participants were chosen from Creswick and Ballarat, including one who has recently been awarded a scholarship from MSRF.  

Ballarat resident and Swinburne graphic design student Maddy Merzvinskis was invited to the camp after her teacher recommended the organisation. 

Ms Merzvinskis was a vice captain at Ballarat Secondary College and was also involved in student representative councils while at school which fostered her passion for leadership. 

At the beginning of the camp, those involved got to know each other through exercises in team and trust building. 

“The activities always had a message, like asking for help if you need it and building each other up,” Ms Merzvinskis said. 

With a different theme for each day, the young leaders participated in yoga and discussing mindfulness techniques with councillors and psychologists.

They also learnt about sustainable environments and communities. 

“Throughout the week we undertook a number of discussions on how to create a sustainable and thriving community, how to care for the environment and ourselves, and what it means to be a leader,” Ms Merzvinskis said.

“We also participated in team building activities, problem solving case studies, and the planting of approximately 250 trees on the Narmbool property.”

Camp participants also chatted to locals about their role in the community on a visit to the Men's Shed located in Ballarat East.

In addition to voluntary work at the RSPCA’s Pets Place, Ms Merzvinskis said she is looking into joining some organisations that assist Ballarat’s homeless.

MSRF combines a vision of inspiring, rural Victorian leaders with promoting and enabling renewal, regeneration and development across rural Victoria.

The organisation offers scholarships to assist with supporting the education of rural and regional Victorians.