Then Ms Oliver got uncomfortable in places like the Trigg cow farm looking at cutting-edge renewable energy technology. And, feeling "very much giver everyone a go" kinda person, Ms Oliver's personal values were tested meeting inmates at Her Majesty's Prison Langi Kal Kal.

This process is one AC Accounting Ballarat principal James Westbrook is working through now in the Leadership Ballarat and Western Region's leaders forum.

Mr Westbrook said it was like taking off the blinkers on his world. This year has been about looking at his community through others' perspective - like City of Ballarat councillors.

"Everyone has an opinion of them but each one puts in so much effort and time to do what they feel best for Ballarat," Mr Westbrook said.

"...Everyone around the whole world has opinions on issues. No matter what, even if you're the best Prime Minister or mayor in the world, there will be those who disagree with you."

Mr Westbrook said the lesson was in working together. It was in making the step up from manager to principal at his firm in central Ballarat that he seized a chance to be part of LBWR. He wanted to grow personally and professionally but now feels there is so much he could do.

Program days explore different challenges facing the region.

For Ms Oliver, who graduated from the program last year, the key learning has been in connections.

"I feel I'm more aware the community has so many moving parts. A lot work in isolation but we could be working together," Ms Oliver said. "There's a lot more opportunity for collaboration."

This is the mindset Ms Oliver took to London for the YMCA's 175^th anniversary celebrations, building on the base of the organisation's founder George Williams in finding an outlet for young men (and now women) to have a place for recreation outside work.

Ms Oliver worked alongside delegates, including a strong contingent of young people, in sharing ideas to tackle the biggest issues facing young people globally.

The challenges are different, particularly in some nations with less equality for females, but themes were similar: mental health, employment and sustainable development.

"We talked a lot about mental health and the connection to physical activity," Ms Oliver said. "Mental health was by far the biggest issue globally in knowing what to do, how to handle it and how to make an impact.

"It really reinforced the work we're doing here and global connections and contacts I now have to trouble-shoot programs and what can we replicate using some aspects."

There is a YMCA-led social enterprise in Long Beach, California for budding filmographers. Rapper Snoop Dogg donated the program a recording studio. It might be an unlikely venture in Ballarat but an example Ms Oliver said could prompt some big thinking for what was possible.

YMCA Ballarat and Grampians is already embarking on more collaborative efforts across the region. The inaugural Make Your Move event last Saturday attracted more than 200 women in a booked-out free event to offer different tastes of health and well-being programs.

James Westbrook was not sure exactly where LBWR might lead him. He said the program had already offered him plenty to think about in and outside the office.

"After every day I'm so motivated to do something about the issue we've looked at," Mr Westbrook said.

"You always know if there are issues you want to do something about, there is a way to find something you can do."

MORE FROM LEADING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.