The Apiary Fellowship is an initiative that brings together people who are committed to creating thriving futures for children across Australia.

With the support of the Front Project and the Paul Ramsay Foundation, and working with colleagues from Collaboration for Impact, the Apiary Fellowship supports program participants to connect, share and learn about systems thinking and leadership, foster inter- and cross-system collaboration, and champion improved individual capabilities to work differently to bring about sustainable positive change to the early learning system across the country (broadly defined).

As a one-of-a-kind national early learning initiative, the Apiary Fellowship offers a unique experience for professionals to collectively imagine a bold vision to revolutionise early learning in Australia. Together, fellows collaboratively innovate changes which seek to directly involve and benefit children, families, and communities now and for years to come. 

The Apiary Fellowship is a space to learn, connect and collaborate as you collectively strive to transform early learning in Australia. Within a one-year commitment, you and your cohort of fellows will embark on a transformative journey together. During this time, you will participate in three Convenings and multiple workshops in which you will share, learn and network equipped with the skills and tools you need to feel ready and empowered to take bold, radical leaps forward in transforming early learning.  

Following the one-year commitment, you will graduate to join existing fellows in the Impact Community, increasing your collaborative power to independently drive change that is needed in the system. This space is shaped, led and driven by all fellows as it is your vehicle for bringing the collective innovations of the Apiary to life. 

The Apiary Fellowship is an opportunity open to all people connected to the early learning system (broadly defined). We are seeking those who:

• Are passionate about creating systems change in early learning in Australia;
• Are motivated to learn, share and take action in collaboration with others;
• Want to gain insights and learn from diverse and different perspectives of others working in the early learning system.

If this sounds like you, then we want you to join us!

At the Apiary Fellowship, we encourage an all-hands-on-deck approach where everyone can get involved in whatever topic, area, or project resonates most closely with them. This allows everyone brings themselves to the collective, both in terms of their role but also their personal passions, lived experiences, and knowledge.

The Apiary cultivates ways of working that are representative and inclusive of the diversity that exists within Australia and in the early learning system. We aim to include systems actors from various mixed market organisational and service backgrounds, both big and small. We also seek applicants from all around Australia, both metro and rural, and have a  Shared Vision for Reconciliation with First Nations peoples and understand that our two way cultural learning journey must be ongoing, respectful and authentic. We firmly believe that positive change for children and families must be informed and shaped by the communities and cultures where they learn and grow.

In joining the Apiary, you will join a welcoming community of collaborative changemakers. To find out more about the existing fellows, see below:

In terms of program costs, the Paul Ramsay Foundation generously provide financial support for a significant proportion of the Apiary’s program activities. In addition to this, there is a one-off program fee contribution from each new fellow of $2,500 which supports the design, event catering, and facilitation of the overall program. Travel and accommodation are at participants’ own expense. 

In recognising that money should not be a barrier to joining the Apiary, for self-funded fellows and those with extenuating circumstances, different types of customised scholarships are available. These include financial support for:   

• People who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; 
• People living with a disability; 
• People who are culturally and linguistically diverse; 

• People whose personal or work efforts are focused on supporting individuals and communities experiencing disadvantage; 
• Low-income employees and/or fully self-funded Apiary Fellowship applicants; 
• People whose attendance is only partially supported (be it time or financial renumeration, or otherwise) by their organisation; 
• People who live in rural or remote Australia; 
• Refugees and asylum seekers. 

Scholarships can cover some or all of the below expenses:  

• The full $2500 program fee. 
• Accommodation from arrival to departure at the venue for each Convening.  
• Travel from the nearest airport to the venue, and from the venue to the nearest airport for each Convening.  
• Travel from your address to the nearest airport and from the airport to your home address if you live in rural or remote Australia  

To express your interest in joining the Apiary in 2024, please fill in the Expression of Interest (EOI) form below.  The deadline for submission is 31st December 2023.  

Following this, we will be in touch in the new year after the registration officially closes. If you are shortlisted, we will arrange an informal interview with you. If you are successful (places are limited), we anticipate the commencement three-day Convening will take place in March or April 2024.  

We encourage you to invite others in your networks who bring diverse or different perspectives of the system and are ready to take up system leadership for transformation in early learning, to register their interest. 

If you have any questions, then please feel free to reach out to the Apiary team:  

Email: theapiary@thefrontproject.org.au 

Phone: 0438 240 153 

We can’t wait to hear from you!