Wangaratta's Donna Taggart and Werner Vogels from near Glenrowan were among 26 farmers, local business owners, health professionals, volunteers and education specialists to participate in the online discussion about how to strengthen and prepare regional communities for drought in the future.

Dr Vogels, a neuropsychologist working at La Trobe university, said the program was an initiative of the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

"The first session was two days on zoom, (it was) just really inspiring to be honest," he said.

"Just coming together and talking about what do we mean by resilience? what do we mean by leadership? and how can we network in the Goulbourn Valley area and make sure we do position ourselves as thought leaders and change agents to become more resilient when we talk to one another about natural disasters?"

The Goulburn Valley was the first of 12 regions around the country to commence the program.

The second and third components of the program are tentatively planned for later this year.

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The program focuses on climate science, problem solving, scenario planning and networking.

Social worker Donna Taggart said the program would create numerous benefits for the participants' communities.

"All people in all sorts of ways are impacted by the lack of water," she said.

"We all need water, it's the one common theme through all beings, all people, everyone, everywhere.

"So I think the benefits of learning about how different people at different levels are impacted can only be advantageous and it will have a ripple effect."

At the end of the program, participants can access a grants program to give back to their communities using the skills they've gained.

Ms Taggart said she was determined to use her new knowledge to benefit her community.

"I do have an idea (for the grant) and I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be involved, so watch this space," she said.

"It's going to involve completing some of the the further study I've undertaken (in social work).

"It's going to also involve connecting with some of the already established community groups and working collaboratively to provide even more services locally."

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