Designed by and for women and gender-diverse people tackling the big issues across Northern Australia, the WELA Northern Australia Leadership Intensive is for you!
The WELA Northern Australia Leadership Intensive will bring together 24 women and gender diverse people for a five day leadership development program at Noonamah in the Northern Territory from Monday 16 June to Friday 20 June 2025.
We are looking to support equal numbers of First Nations and strong ally participants to tackle the big climate/environment/justice issues facing the northern parts of Australia.
The program aims to grow and support collective action, resourcing and connections – Together we are stronger!
Participants and Facilitators from the WELA CCWA Leadership Program 2023 held in Perth, WA.
Photo credit Miles Tweedie Photography
“As a participant of the WELA program in WA the most important thing I took from the weekend was the importance of connection. Where you fit into the environmental sector and the importance of YOU. My highlight was watching my beautiful sister girl Bianca standing strong in her Aboriginality and teaching the other ladies our history in such an amazing way. It was delightful to see and experience.
Programs such as this are so important for helping women become stronger in their fight for the environment. It offers tools to take away with you to use straight away with whatever you are working on. I had such a great time and now I can’t wait to start the national WELA program.“
– Josie Alec, First Nations Lead at Australian Conservation Foundation and Founder of Save our Songlines
WELA Leadership Intensives are life changing for participants who want to grow positive change. We help people to identify their own approach to leadership, and to recognise and step into their power to influence.
The program supports women and gender diverse leaders across the environmental, climate change and justice movements, not for profit groups, any level of government and business to deliver decolonising, long term system change.
WELA Northern WA Leadership Program 2024 group
Sharing First Nations stories, challenges and ways of doing.
Our curriculum is centred on four key themes that weave in First Nations knowledge systems and learning to centre caring for Country and culture at the core of your work:
DR. LOUISE DUXBURY
WELA’s National Leadership Program lead facilitator, experienced educator and environmental and leadership expert.
BIANCA MCNEAIR
Malgana woman from Gutharagudu, otherwise known as Shark Bay, WA. Program Lead for the Indigenous Women’s Ranger Network at WWF-Australia.
NADINE LEE AND CYAN SUE LEE
Guest presenters – welcome to country, smoking ceremony, First Nations leadership – Gulumoerrgin (Larrakia), Wardaman and Karajarri women and Traditional Custodians of the Darwin region.
Hear Bianca talk about WELA at the 2022 National Program, on Taungurung Country, Victoria. You can also catch Bianca talking about Caring for Country in this Reel from GetUp at COP29
WELA is empowering and supporting women’s leadership for our environment, and transforming Australia’s response to the climate and environment crises.
WWF-Australia
WWF-Australia, protecting nature’s wonders for more than 40 years. Working with communities, governments, companies and others not just to protect our natural world but to restore and regenerate it.
To deliver the most positive outcomes for nature, wildlife, communities and climate, WWF amplify First Nations Peoples’ voices and to listen to, collaborate with, respect and learn from their Knowledge.
Together with the Knowledge and traditions of First Peoples and local communities, and embracing innovation and new technologies, WWF will restore and Regenerate Nature to bring change on a global scale for climate, nature and people.
Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Paul Ramsey Foundation.
WELA is the recipient of a Community Led Climate Solutions Grants from FRRR.
You can see all the amazing project supported here.
FRRR is a not-for-profit organisation, connecting common purposes and funding from government, business and philanthropy with the genuine local needs of rural people and places.
Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA)
The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) is Western Australia’s foremost not-for-profit, non-government conservation and environment organisation. We have been a prominent and forthright voice for conservation for more than 50 years working directly with communities, government, Traditional Owners, industry, and media to promote a more sustainable WA and to protect our natural environment.
WELA also acknowledges the support of the following organisations:
Charles Darwin University Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods
“We are stronger together and we believe this gathering will help make space and support for First Nations voices to be at the forefront in decision-making. The co-facilitation team of First Nations and ally leading together is an important part of modelling what collaborative leadership looks like.
– Nicole Forrester, Chief Regenerative Officer at WWF-Australia
The WELA team’s commitment to creating opportunities where First Nations leaders can share knowledge, receive and provide support, reaffirm their own leadership and strategise with allies on pressing climate and environment challenges is much needed, especially in northern Australia where truly collaborative opportunities are limited. The momentum that WELA has built, including the inspiring outcomes from the Northern WA Intensive, demonstrates the significant impact that such gatherings can have.”
– Leonie Valentine, Senior Manager – Species Conservation, WWF-Australia