Shortly before his death in 1985, Hugh Williamson, former head of the ANZ Bank and long-time member of Victorian welfare, arts and hospital boards, laid the framework for the establishment of the Hugh Williamson Foundation [LINK]. Formed the following year, the foundation operates under the three aims of benefiting the needy, encouraging initiative and enhancing the lives of Victorians.

Williamson had long been considering ways to shape the future leaders and volunteers of non-profit organisations.The Hugh Williamson Foundation set out to address this with the launch of an independent, non–profit organisation called the Williamson Community Leadership Program Ltd in 1990 and the first program was conducted that year.  This organisation was fully funded by the Hugh Williamson Foundation for the first three years and is now dependent on financial support from the corporate, government and community sectors.

In 1995, the effectiveness of the Williamson Community Leadership Program [LINK] was augmented through the addition of SkillsBank [LINK] which harnesses the skills of our Fellows for ongoing pro bono strategic community involvement.

In 1998 the Board Orientation Series [LINK] was developed to prepare alumni to be effective members of non – profit organisations.  In 2000 this program was made available to any member of the public either serving or considering serving on a non – profit board.  This series was so popular that in 2005, Leadership Victoria increased the frequency of this program to twice a year.

The organisation’s name was changed in 2000 to Leadership Victoria.

In 2006 the ExperienceBank Program [LINK] was introduced.  ExperienceBank is an innovative program designed for senior leaders & executives keen to offer their professional skills & leadership experience for community benefit   SkillsBank also offer the skills of graduates of this program – known as Leadership Victoria Associates - to non–profit organisations.

Over the years, Leadership Victoria has continued to grow and now offers the Non–Profit CEO Workshops and Roundtables [LINK] which encourage conversation and enhance the skills of Non–Profit CEOs.

Leadership Victoria also encompasses the annual lecture on ‘Leadership’, the Leadership Week Forum, and the ‘Leadership’ magazine.