Observership Program

At Mpower, we're proud to be part of The Observership Program, helping develop the next generation of board and community leaders across South West Victoria.

Are you an aspiring board director aged between 25 and 40 and based in South West Victoria?

We’ve partnered with South West TAFE, South West Healthcare and Brophy Family & Youth Services to offer The Observership Program. This initiative provides governance training and practical experience in not-for-profit board leadership over 12 months.

You’ll receive training from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and The Ethics Centre, while also building your professional network across Victoria with other observers.

Applications for the 2027 Program close on 16 August. Find out more and apply here: https://observership.com.au/south-west-region-candidate-information-webpage/?

Background information

The Observership Program facilitates the involvement of young, talented and energetic people in a structured experience on non-profit and government-appointed Boards.
Each Observer is paired with an organisation for 12-months. During that time, Observers attend board/committee meetings as non-voting members and learn fundamental principles and functions of not-for-profit boards, the roles of board members, financial processes and other governance priorities.

Observers receive training for not-for-profit directors delivered by AICD and The Ethics Centre as well as networking opportunities with fellow and former participants in the Program.
The Program provides first-hand exposure to the role of the board, its decision-making and operations as well as targeted training and mentorship designed to give Observers important skills to bring to the boardroom.

Applicants need to:

• Be based in the South West Region of Victoria
• Be aged between 25 and 45 years old
• Be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Have either no prior board experience or little or no formal governance training.
• Have capacity and support to attend all board meetings and 10+ training sessions throughout 2027.

Apply by Sunday 16 August 2026. Application link for South West Observers: https://www.observership.com.au/south-west-region-candidate-information-webpage/

To learn more about The Observership Program and its impact across our region, read Wannon Water's media release by clicking the button below.