The program, offered by the Department of Trade and Economic Development, was aimed at seeking potential leaders and drivers and empowering them to build their local communities.

Local facilitator Lisa Pearson said the program helped clarify the direction of where towns were going, while building the skills and confidence of those involved. "We have looked at what value the towns already have, without bringing in news themes or changing the perspective of the area," Ms Pearson said.

"The momentum has been building for some time now, it just needed a clear direction," she said.

"We have discovered that there is great potential in the Mt Remarkable district, we just have to utilise it.”

From the initial ‘retreat’ held in June, a number of project teams were formed, who worked on a specific project for their area. Every team then presented their ideas to the others, through tours and meetings.

The Community Builders teams spent about half the program focussed on processes such as team building, problem solving, communication and the other half on specific knowledge areas such as how to apply for funding, valuing volunteers and engaging with youth.

“That’s the formal learning program. The really powerful part of Community Builders is that it’s done within an action-learning context. The participants work on a real project in their communities,” Ms Pearson said.

"The teams had considerable success with grant application and writing, and a number of outcomes have already been realised including a hip hop workshop at Port Germein and a program to encourage visitors to stay longer in the district.”

Booleroo Centre group member Peter McCallum thought it was a successful venture, bringing together like-minded people and breaking down the small barriers that existed.

"The program has given us the encouragement and confidence to help build up the community, despite the program coming to an end," Mr McCallum said.

"It is also interesting to see other communities, and what they have achieved," said Baroota group member Keryl Jamieson. "It’s all about working together and accepting everyone's differing qualities.

"It is inspiring that we can make a difference within the community, and we intend to keep doing so."

Ms Pearson said the vital ingredients as passion for your community and having a lot of fun in the

process.