Lunch & Learn - From Inspiration to Action: Gladstone's Shared Leadership Story
Description
From Inspiration to Action: Gladstone's Shared Leadership Story
What happens when people see what's possible and decide to make it happen in their own community?
Gladstone didn't just attend ChangeFest. They brought the learning home.
Inspired by what they experienced at ChangeFest gatherings, Gladstone Region engaging in action Together (GRT) First Nations Working Group recognised the potential for change in their own community. Looking at the achievements of other communities, they asked a simple but powerful question: "If they can do it, why can't we?"
The answer became Rites of Passage — a cultural graduation ceremony for First Nations youth.
The Rites of Passage celebrates the achievement of First Nations youth completing their schooling journey while strengthening connection to culture, family and community. It inspires hope and confidence by recognising success and wrapping community-support around First Nations graduates from across the region as they embark on their next chapter of life beyond school.
This story reflects what can happen when ideas become action through relationships, trust and shared power, and what becomes possible when community is supported to lead.
At the heart of this story is the journey of the First Nations Working Group. Join Tracy and Courtney as they share how community members came together around a shared vision, and what enabled and supported the group to step into their own power to create better outcomes for their communities.
This is a story of courage, connection and local leadership. From ChangeFest gatherings to Gladstone's own community-led initiatives, it offers practical lessons for any community ready to move from seeing what's possible to making it happen.
All are welcome at our free monthly Lunch & Learn sessions. Register now and be part of the movement.
Tuesday, 27 October 2026; 12.30 - 2.00pm (AEST)
Online via Zoom
About the Presenters
Tracy Connolly, Toolooa State High School, GRT First Nations Advisory Group
Born in Sydney and raised in Wollongong, Tracy belongs to the Wallaballooa mob. Since moving to Gladstone in 1997, she and her husband have raised their niece and son, embracing everything that Gladstone offers. Tracy's career spans roles in the Federal Government, local industry, and currently, she serves as a Community Education Counsellor (CEC) at Toolooa State High School. Passionate about young people, Tracy is dedicated to making sure they know and understand their culture but also help them to navigate future career pathways.
Courtney Morrison Executive Director, Gladstone Region Engaging in Action Together (GRT)
Courtney works at the intersection of community, partnerships and systems change, bringing experience in collective action, organisational development and community-led practice. Having made the Gladstone Region home and raising her family here, Courtney values the opportunity to work together with community and partners to build on local strengths, connect people, effort and opportunities, and support thriving childhoods, families and communities.
About the ChangeFest Learning Network
The ChangeFest Learning Network is a regular opportunity for all of us across the ChangeFest Movement to share practice and learn, to connect and build, and to take a deep breath and reflect. It will provide us all with the space to listen and hear from each other in ways that will help us in our own work for community-led system change – whether it be in communities, government, large for purpose organisations and businesses.
Lunch & Learn Sessions are held from 12.30 - 2.00pm (AEST) and are designed to be “easy for you to contribute, simple for us to hold, meaningful for us all to be part of.”
Each event will be free and provide opportunity to explore practices and stories of community-led change – and an opportunity to connect with each other across the ChangeFest Movement.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
