Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) is supporting a new Community Scholarship, reinforcing its commitment to investing in local leadership across East Gippsland.

Delivered through the Committee for Gippsland’s Gippsland Community Leadership Program, the scholarship funds one full place in the ten-month 2026 program, with all participant fees covered by GCM.

The scholarship is designed to remove cost as a barrier and ensure leadership development opportunities are accessible to emerging talent from communities near the Fingerboards Project.

GCM Community and Engagement Lead and GCLP alum Mick Harrington said the scholarship responds to what the company has heard consistently across local communities.

“People want ways to build local capability and create real opportunities, not just for them but for their community,” Mr Harrington said.

“This scholarship supports individuals who care deeply about their region and want to play an active role in shaping their community’s future.”

Mick Harrington

Open to people living in, or with strong demonstrated connections to, communities in and around the Fingerboards Project area, including Stratford, Munro, Walpa, Glenaladale, Fernbank, Lindenow, Lindenow South, Hillside and Bairnsdale, the scholarship also includes nearby communities.

Committee for Gippsland CEO Tony Cantwell said the partnership helps ensure the Gippsland Community Leadership Program continues to reflect the diversity of the Gippsland region.

“We are pleased to partner with Gippsland Critical Minerals to deliver this new scholarship, enabling local East Gippslanders to develop their leadership capacity and strengthen our communities,” Mr Cantwell said.

Applications are welcomed from people at all stages of their education and career, with priority consideration given to pathways aligned with regional industries and needs. These include primary industries, environmental and land management, Indigenous land and sea management, and emerging sectors such as renewable energy, technology, advanced manufacturing and research.

The Gippsland Community Leadership Program is one of Australia’s longest running regional leadership programs. The ten month program focuses on building leadership capability, confidence and strong local networks through a structured, experiential learning model delivered across Gippsland.

Applications for the Gippsland Critical Minerals Community Scholarship are now open, with full details and application information available at committeeforgippsland.com.au.

For more information on the Fingerboards Project or to stay up to date with the latest news from GCM visit gippslandcriticalminerals.com.