05/11/2025
Future Leaders 2025 graduates
On Wednesday, October 29th, more than 50 proud family members, friends, and community leaders gathered at the Alexandra Park Pavilion to celebrate the graduation of the 2025 Future Leaders program participants.
This year, 10 students from Bayview College, Heywood and District Secondary College and Portland Secondary College successfully completed the program and during the graduation shared heartfelt reflections on their personal growth, leadership development, and career aspirations.
Their presentations showcased the transformative impact of the program and were delivered to an audience of peers, families, mentors, educators, sponsors, and community representatives.
Portland Aluminium, the founding partner and major sponsor of the program, was represented by Scott Cleary. He spoke about the long-standing success of the initiative, now in its 20th year, noting that several alumni have since joined the Portland Aluminium team—an inspiring testament to the program’s role in cultivating future leaders within the region.
The 2025 Future Leaders graduates were:
• Alyssa Carlsen
• Sy Sy Diep
• Elias Taleb
• Noah Liersch
• Cody Howard
• Elora Cleary
• Maddox Millard
• Daniel Sanderson
• Lucy Sanderson
• Sasha Johnstone
Established in 2005 by Portland Aluminium and coordinated by the Glenelg and Southern Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network (GSGLLEN), the Future Leaders program provides Year 10 and 11 students with opportunities to explore local industries, develop career pathways, and build leadership skills. The program fosters confidence, transferable skills, and community engagement—helping shape the region’s future workforce and civic capacity.
Anne Murphy, Executive Officer of GSGLLEN, expressed her gratitude:
“Thank you to our community and industry partners for your continued support of the Future Leaders Program. Your contributions empower students to build essential work skills, clarify their career goals, and form meaningful community connections—experiences that will benefit them wherever life leads.”
The Future Leaders Program is proudly supported by Glenelg & Southern Grampians Local Learning & Employment Network and a network of local partners, including:
Alcoa Australia - Portland Aluminium, Glenelg Shire Council, Pacific Blue, Port of Portland Victoria, Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly & Community Health Service Inc., Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation, are-able, South West TAFE Prince Engineering Pty Ltd and Victoria Police.
