The Aurora Leadership Institute 2005

I recently participated in the 8th Aurora Leadership Institute at Thredbo Alpine Village, NSW from 16 to 21 February 2005. Becky Schreiber and John Shannon of Schreiber Shannon Associates of the USA ably led the Institute, assisted by eight fantastic mentors from Australia and New Zealand. The institute's mission is to 'assist future leaders in the information industry to maximise their leadership skills and potential'.

Participants met in the foyer of the National Library, before departing by bus to Thredbo.

There were 32 Australian and New Zealand participants from a variety of library sectors, with a significant number from east coast state and public libraries. I was the sole participant from Western Australia.

Dinner on the first night at Alpine Village, Thredbo.

It was a mentally challenging five days set in spectacular surroundings where we explored styles of leadership, vision, risk taking, acting with courage, providing feedback and change.

Aurora 8 participants networking and socialising.

The highlights for me were the opportunities to meet great professionals from a variety of library sectors looking to develop and make a difference. It wasn't hard work all of the time - there was time for socialising, climbing to the Mt Kosciusko lookout and a cricket match.

We had the opportunity to climb Mt Thredbo. This is a group of us pictured at the lookout to Mt Kosciusko.

Aurora provided a safe environment in which you could assess yourself, others and the current library environment. The Aurora mentors so generously gave up their time to share their wisdom, advice and life events which contributed to the great experience that was Aurora 8.

New friends and colleagues from Aurora 8 (I'm on the left).

I am very grateful for this opportunity in which I developed both personally and professionally, and I encourage others to apply to attend.

It was definitely the best experience of my library and information career so far.

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