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Reflections on the City of Marion Leadership Program and the beautiful connections it nurtures…
There are moments in life that leave an imprint, not because of grand gestures, but because of the quiet presence of people who choose to lead with humility, generosity and heart.
Recently, I received a message from Alefia, a former participant of the City of Marion Leadership Program, now back in Colombo after several years in Adelaide. Her words stayed with me, not just because they were kind, but because they echoed a deeper truth. That the smallest acts of presence and connection can make the biggest impact. She wrote of how it was kindness that gave her confidence, how it was the quiet humility of Mayor Kris Hanna that left her inspired and how the support of people like Danelle Clarke and Kerry Mart created a space where she felt seen.
Alefia reminded me that real leadership isn’t about position, it is about presence. It is about showing up with patience when someone is struggling. About offering kindness even when it feels unfamiliar to the person receiving it. And about seeing beauty in difference, in how each person, like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, brings their own colour, shape and story.
When Sarah Bruns and I first joined the program in 2018, we were participants. Eager, perhaps uncertain, but open. That is when we met Maree Davidson from Highwire Group, whose belief in this program would become a steady anchor. In 2021, Kerry came through as a participant and in the years since, she, Sarah and I have all returned in a different capacity. Now supporting the delivery of this same program under Maree’s ongoing leadership. And Danelle, the program coordinator from the City of Marion, has been a constant thread, thoughtful, collaborative and deeply committed to community.
Together, we each bring something different, like Sarah’s facilitation flair, Maree’s depth and energy, Kerry’s grounded wisdom and the vibrant, evolving insights from each new cohort. We now consult and support this program as part of Highwire Group, with years since 2019 – 2025 seeing us continue what began as a personal journey into one that serves a larger collective.
Alefia’s reflections, shared from across the world, are a reminder that what we do matters. Not in big, flashy ways, but in everyday moments. In how we greet others, how we notice someone’s quiet courage and how we make space for all kinds of experiences, even the difficult ones. Her story, like so many others, highlights the complexity of starting over in a new country, of facing personal and professional challenges and still holding space for others along the way.
Her email was also full of ideas, creative and thoughtful ways to engage with community, from a local treasure hunt to connecting participants with ‘Whacky Wednesday’ at the community centre. There was humour, honesty and a continued desire to contribute. That is what makes people like Alefia unforgettable. That is what makes programs like the Community Leadership Program transformative.
And that is why staying present ‘really present’ matters. Because when we do, we see each other more clearly. We become the kind of leaders who notice, who listen and who recognise that the puzzle only comes together when every piece is included.
This full-circle moment continues to affirm something powerful:
When we stop holding ourselves back…
When we allow our presence to be felt…
We give others permission to do the same.
To Alefia and all those who have walked through this program, thank you for reminding us of what true leadership really looks like.
If you haven’t seen this TED Talk, Everyday Leadership by Drew Dudley, it’s a beautiful reminder of how much impact we can have without even realising it:
Everyday Leadership – Drew Dudley (6 mins)
Alice
