Central Queensland University will inspire self-confidence and ambition in the region’s youth through a leadership seminar next month.

The Local & Regional Government Research Unit, an initiative of CQU’s Faculty of Business & Law, are inviting young people between the ages of 16 and 20 to the leadership and personal development seminar, 'Project Life Navigator’, on Monday 7 April, 9am to 1.30pm at the Frenchville Sports Club.

This session has been specifically designed for Year 11 and 12 students, university students, new employees wishing to progress to a supervisory or management role and the unemployed seeking full-time employment.

Presented by the Australian Regular Army’s Lieutenant Colonel Richard Bosi and Kay Lawford, the program hopes to develop inspirational leaders by improving individual success and performance. Lt Col Bosi has served 20 years as a Special Forces Commando, while Ms Lawford has served 29 years with the Royal Australian Navy and also operates her own successful business.

The program will include a keynote address by inspirational guest speaker and ultra-distance cyclist, Perry Stone. Last month Perry completed an epic journey, riding 14,324 kilometres in 57.4 days, towing a BOB trailer, around Australia.

Coordinator for Project Life Navigator, Patricia Croucher said Perry's half-hour presentation would be an inspiration to everyone who has a goal to achieve.

“Perry's determination, enthusiasm and commitment to achieve, where many others simply give up, demonstrates his depth of character,” Ms Croucher said.

Addressing a gap in life education, Lt Col Bosi and Ms Lawford have developed this leadership and personal development program to make future officers and leaders more successful individuals.

In October 2000, Lt Col Bosi and Ms Lawford were invited to speak on leadership and personal development to the first year cadets at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. The response they received and experienced was unprecedented. It was apparent that the concepts they communicated had struck a chord with the cadets.

They discussed issues such as: success in life is the result of one's decisions not circumstances, and success is something one attracts by the person one becomes.

Since this initial presentation, the pair has been invited to speak to the Advanced Leadership Management Faculty (ALMF); address the Leadership Staff Development Seminar at HMAS Creswell (the Officer Training Establishment for the RAN); and to the instructors at the Seaman Leadership Management Faculty (SLMF), Training Centre East, Garden Island.

Special discounted rates are available for group and student bookings. Please contact Patricia Croucher by Monday 10 March on 0402 257 169 or email p.croucher@cqu.edu.au to secure your place.