The 21 Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program participants have toured to different locations and met with various industry experts.

Executive officer Kim Scanlon said the group was thrilled to have entrepreneur and author Nigel Collin as guest speaker at Thursday’s graduation in Wangaratta.

“Our annual program has a proud reputation of developing the region’s next generation of community, business and government leaders,” she said.

“Although not always serving in high-profile positions, we are assured that, collectively, our graduates make a difference, in meaningful ways, in the communities where they work, live and play.”

Dederang’s Amy van de Ven, the Quest Wodonga business development manager, will be one of the graduates and said she planned to continue working and collaborating in the business community.

“I was wanting to grow, learn and develop skills that would prepare me for the next steps in my journey and that's exactly what AVCLP has done for me,” she said.

“What it was that made this program stand out from the rest for me was being part of an amazing, diverse, intelligent group of participants.”

The graduation will be held at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway from 5.30pm Thursday. Tickets are available at avclp.eventbrite.com.au.

In an exclusive column for The Border Mail, graduate and former Wangaratta administrator Irene Grant said her involvement in the program in 1999 inspired her to run for council.

“There will always be a challenge for those of us who live in the regional centres to be heard above the clamour and noise of growth in metropolitan and coastal Australia, she said.

“We deserve the very best in leadership.

“If we want to ensure that we get it, our community must provide support, mentoring and training for those who are willing to step up.”