The
Colloquium

“In the mining industry, many factors can compete with each other – safety, the environment, traditional owners, shareholders and government. This Fellowship gave me the skills to navigate the increasingly complex decision-making framework while ensuring that I do not compromise my values or those of my company"

Rob Atkinson, former Chief Operation Officer, Copper Group, Rio Tinto Ltd

“It has been a revelation.  I see things differently now – through different eyes.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“Before I attended Cranlana I didn’t have the language to express what I was trying to do with my life. There’s a real change in the way you think about things if you can enunciate them clearly.”

Alison Morley, former Head of Business Development, Western Power

“I felt I couldn’t make a difference at work and I felt despair.  I can’t walk away from my work now. I need to stay and tell stories. There is power in the narrative.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“Cranlana gave me the opportunity for deep reflection on m prejudices and assumptions, thought patterns and actions. It was one of the most rewarding and intellectually stimulating things I have ever done.”

Professor Andrew Vann, Vice-Chancellor and President, Charles Sturt University

“I will ask WHY?  I will say NO.  When we reach the finish line – move it forward.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“Learning from a broad range of people with fascinating backgrounds and who were passionate about their work and life added the extra dimension. The sharing of ideas that resulted was magnificent. it has both shaped, reinforced and extended my thinking and has influenced the way I approach my personal and professional life.”

Australian Public Sector Colloquium Alumna

“I’ve participated in a number of excellent leadership programs. Only Cranlana got to the core of our humanity, our leadership purpose. It changed my perspective, what I tolerate and how I act.”

Australian Public Sector Colloquium Alumna

“I have some deep thinking to do.  I haven’t checked myself enough.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“It has allowed important reflection time from the chaos. It has confirmed that ethical choices are challenging, exhausting but they offer mental freedom.  This program is a check and balance.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“Learning from a broad range of people with fascinating backgrounds and who were passionate about their work and life added the extra dimension. The sharing of ideas that resulted was magnificent. it has both shaped, reinforced and extended my thinking and has influenced the way I approach my personal and professional life.”

Australian Public Sector Colloquium Alumnus

“In my professional practice I like to do one thing each year that is a reward for me.  Cranlana for me is a place where I go so deep inside my head.  As a result, things happen at what I’ve come to call “Philosophy Speed’ – which is not rushed, it is fuelled by reflection and a search for answers. For me, it adds a vital dimension to a lived life.”

Andy Farrant, Principal, One Degree Advisory

“The Ethical Leadership Program was an incredibly valuable learning experience. I learnt many practical strategies and tips which I have been able to apply directly to my work. I left the course feeling very inspired and enriched after two days of great debate and informed discussion. I would highly recommend this course.”

Sophie Ryan, Chief Executive Office, Sony Foundation

“We all have a sense of what is just and right. It is even more the case when it comes to ageing, where our assumptions lead to actions have such impact on older Australians. Cranlana offers the time to stop, think, listen and speak.”

Nick Ryan, Former Chief Executive Office, Australian Aged Care Quality Agency

“I value this group of people. How will I consolidate all these learnings?  These ideas speak to all people not just those working in education or justice.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“I’ve participated in a number of excellent leadership programs. Only Cranlana got to the core of our humanity, our leadership purpose. It changed my perspective, what I tolerate and how I act.”

Australian Public Sector Colloquium Alumna

“Cranlana enables ideas to be examined properly. You test and clarify your opinions and beliefs, leaving you confident and either able to defend them with certainty or with a new respect for alternatives you had not previously explored.”

Executive Colloquium Alumnus

“The important thing for me was the shared perspective of the other people in the group and carefully considering and reflecting on the approaches to our work.  I was constantly learning through the discussions with, and the experiences of, the others. The other really valuable thing I gained was that I formed some new connections.”

Miranda Bruyniks, former Deputy Commissioner, Disability Services Commissioner

“A stimulating week and diverse range of views in this room. It is a privilege. The moderators create a safe space and everyone was supportive in the room. What will I do from here?  What will I commit to?”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“This week has been re-affirming. It has echoed my beliefs. I have some tools now. It has been powerful. I want to have more courage to speak out about bad behaviours.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“Cranlana was the most inspiring and stimulating time of my life. It left me with a renewed interest in the importance of the discussion of ethics in our society and how that relates to our individual lives.”

Caecilia Potter, Designer Director, Atticus & Milo

“I think about the conversations I had at Cranlana every day.”

Julian Burnside AO, QC

“It was without a doubt an enriching experience, challenging in a positive way, and gave a privileged space to give deep thinking to issues of ethical leadership which I would not have had without this opportunity presenting itself. I certainly went away with new perspectives, and new challenges to tackle!”

Executive Colloquium Alumnus

“This has been the best investment of my time and money in a long time. I am in a bubble in my workplace.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni

“The program was really about directing attention to the right places. For me it was about the impact we all have on other people. The Colloquium taught me to reflect on and understand the role I play in government where I have a large people function supporting 5,500 across multiple disciplines. It was one of those “I get it” moments; it helped me get my place in the world. Everyone who leads people should do it.  It was an incredible experience.”

Darren Bickham, Former Acting Executive Director People and Culture, NSW Department of Finance, Services and Innovation

“Cranlana offers an important reminder of the power of diversity of opinion in an environment of trust. The situation fostered at Cranlana is difficult to find in the modern workplace and as leaders, we are the poorer for it. The Executive Colloquium was the most productive, most insightful and most beneficial six days I've had in my 35 year military career.”

CN Saint, CSC, Lieutenant Colonel, Chief of Staff/Deputy Commandant, HQ Army Aviation Training Centre

“Because of my participation Cranlana’s Executive Colloquium, I have a much greater appreciation of the broader issues influencing decision-making and will be able to make better judgements.”

Major General Rick Burr DSC AM MVO, Deputy Chief of Army Australian Army

“We are all confronting different types of ethical leadership issues, no matter what industry or role we work in. The program challenged my thinking around ethical leadership and produced great frameworks to enable me to approach decision-making on complex issues, keeping in mind both the organisation’s and my own values. I would highly recommend this program to all leaders.”

Robyn Batson, Group People and Development Manager, Sussan Group

“If only every leader in Australia could do the Colloquium – an antidote that would strengthen our collective leadership.”

Suzette Corr, Group Executive People and Culture, Transurban

“It has broadened my awareness. Where to from here?  I have a new profoundness.  I am a father of 2 boys. I need to be responsible. I need to take care of the little things I say and do.”

Cranlana Program Executive Colloquium alumni