The Campaign saw 70 AWEsome members and supporters donate to AWE through GoFundMe and jointly raise more than $3,500. With your support, the AWE Network Committee is already finalising a mentoring program and about to trial software to improve the AWE Network official website and member functionality. You will also see more events pop up during 2020 to bring us together across Australia and New Zealand.

The GoFundMe campaign will remain open until the end of 2019, so you can still contribute, we really appreciate every dollar that is donated and will continue to inform you on how your contributions are improving the network.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/australasian-women-in-emergencies-awe-network

AWE Vice-President Amanda Lamont participated in the forum and moderated a session on Cross-Cutting Pillars:

• Local Action; Inclusiveness; Island and coastal communities 
• Accelerating Local Action and meeting Target E at the local level

The Forum, brought together 120 representatives, including a significant delegation of Pacific island representatives. Participating governments and stakeholders discussed how to accelerate progress on reducing the risk of disasters by leveraging the upcoming Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), to be hosted by the Government of Australia and UNDRR next year in Brisbane. The APMCDRR is the largest ministerial gathering in the region focused on preventing disasters and building resilience.

The two-day Forum resulted in a set of priorities that can help all countries accelerate their national and local efforts. These priorities included garnering greater investment in disaster resilience by governments and businesses, ensuring we are building resilient infrastructure and using science and technology to create solutions.

These priorities will be central elements of the 2020 APMCDRR. The principle of leaving no one behind will be integrated throughout all elements of the conference. Supporting local action for the creation of location-specific solutions, empowering and protecting the most vulnerable, especially women, children, persons with disabilities and indigenous populations, will be highlighted throughout the conference. Addressing the unique needs of island, coastal and remote communities, will also be a priority issue.

AWE was also invited to a discussion on women’s leadership in disaster risk management to inform plans to establish a professional network of women leaders in DRR in the Asia Pacific region. The network is titled “WIN DRR” (Women’s International Network on DRR- Asia Pacific) and the aim is to fully recognize and support the roles and leadership potential of women in the field of disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific. The discussion was led by Loretta Hieber Girardet, Chief of United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction for the Asia and the Pacific and Georgina Harley-Cavanough, Assistant Director, Disaster Resilience & Recovery Section at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The event was a great opportunity to catch up with current and potential AWE members from Australia, New Zealand and other countries in the Asia Pacific region.

“We welcome the Bill and the intention behind it to ensure measurable action on gender equality across the public sector,” says Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton. Gender Equality Bill introduced to Victorian Parliament. https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/home/news-and-events/commission-news/item/1853-gender-equality-legislation-is-great-news-for-victoria

Head of Programs – The Women in International Affairs Network (WIAN). Volunteer position. Applications close 4/12/19  https://www.charityjob.co.uk/volunteer-jobs/women-in-international-affairs-network/head-of-programmes/674049?tsId=8

Head of Operations – Community Hub Australia https://ngorecruitment.com/permanent-job/?job_id=80651&index=0

Residual funding is available to provide women with grants of between $2,000 and $7,000 to enable participation in one of three programs that cover such things as reinforcing resilience and wellbeing, engaging with challenge and conflict, creating future focus, leading authentically and driving performance.  Find out more and register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form at: www.wla.edu.au/funding.html

I am pleased to hear interstate members (including our VP) and even non-members in the Emergency Management sector are keen to join us and celebrate our success.

We also have 3 AUSLAN interpreters attending and so our wonderful deaf members can join in the fun and celebrate our successes!

Also, we have a dress theme of yellow for the event, whether it be a yellow dress or top, or a yellow tie or pockets square, it would be great if everyone could try and all wear even a small yellow item to represent our logo and our network.

If you have suggestions or would like to host an event and announce in the newsletter December 2019, please email Alessia and Alicia at [email protected] or [email protected]

Come and join fellow AWE Network members, families and friends in Melbourne to celebrate 2019 and hear from the AWE Network NZ Chapter Leads in Melbourne. Elizabeth McNaughton and Jolie Wills will jointly present on the common challenges of disaster calamity from their experience, and then have a curated conversation over dinner.

Your ticket includes:

• two course dinner
• complementary drink on arrival
• a fantastic evening

Make sure you invite your colleagues, friends and other AWE Network Members to get their tickets ASAP!!!!! And don’t forget to wear yellow. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/awe-network-end-of-year-dinner-disastrous-dinner-with-a-difference-tickets-79309359429

AuSAe CEO Ideas Breakfast – Wellington – February 2020 https://ausae.org.au/allevents1

International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) on 3 December, https://idpwd.org/

She covered so much ground in the time but a couple of quotes that we felt were particularly relevant were ‘what matters is not just gaining the stage but what you do with it’ and the other was ‘the most important meeting you have is with yourself’.

It is a bleak outlook, and one which is highly unlikely to improve in the coming weeks, with rising fire danger ratings across the state, as we brace for a drier than average summer in Queensland and above average temperatures across Australia.

It is hard to reflect on the positives in these circumstances, but there are, in fact, many. One is of course the outstanding commitment and tireless work of fire fighters, emergency management workers, volunteers, community workers, government officials at various levels and many others, who continue to relentlessly support communities in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies. There are outstanding stories of resilience out there, most of which will never make the news, but which are the backbone of our communities: what keeps us alive and human!

Given the key role women play in this space, from this issue onwards, the AWE Queensland chapter will feature an AWEsome profile each month.

So what did we learn from you? Well, we learnt lots but here is a snapshot.

We asked why members had joined AWE. The most common responses were: 

• To build connections and networks 
• To connect with like-minded women in the sector 
• To access and share information 
• To collaborate with other women in the sector 
• To help support or promote women in the EM sector 
• To help encourage gender equity in the EM sector 
• To learn more about what is happening in the EM sector 

And when we asked if we had met these expectations, two thirds of you said we had. 

Launch of the National Emergency Management Agency in New Zealand https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/launch-national-emergency-management-agency

A cool & soggy start to summer in Fryerstown did not deter a really engaged bunch of about 20 residents coming out to the second of their event series https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6606829300182319104/

How my dream of an all-female Antarctic voyage manifested with courage – Fabian Dattner’s honest, heartfelt and vulnerable article to find out more. She shares her lessons to courageous women committed to the greater good. https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/how-my-dream-of-an-all-female-antarctic-voyage-manifested-with-courage/

Towards inclusive cities for all: How to protect the rights of women in informal self-employment https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2018/6/how-to-protect-the-rights-of-women-in-informal-self-employment

Local Government Victoria Best Practice Guide for Gender Equity in Local Government and supporting research companion 2018
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6605910300535455744/

This fire season 50 per cent of our seasonal Project Fire Fighters are women in our North West District and we’re aiming to achieve a more equal gender balance across the whole state. Parks Victoria https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6605918678112440320/

Women’s Mental Health Network – Health professionals and women with a Lived Experience have been standing together as part of Women’s Mental Health Network Victoria for 30 years. Read our history in ‘Women’s Safety Matters’ booklet available on our website and Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on our next steps. https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-s-mental-health-network-victoria/?miniCompanyUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniCompany%3A28685246

Women’s leadership makes a difference every day – UN Women https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/womens-leadership-makes-difference-every-day-phumzile-mlambo-ngcuka/

Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness free half-day training including Flood Awareness Training by NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) – workshop facilitator Dr Michelle Villeneuve an international expert on disability-inclusive community development and disability inclusive disaster risk reduction. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6594850173212516352/

Victoria Gender Equality Legislation – Victorina Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/home/news-and-events/commission-news/item/1853-gender-equality-legislation-is-great-news-for-victoria

The Power of Women Coming Together – Melinda Gates https://www.evoke.org/articles/november-2019/big-ideas/power-of-women-coming-together-melinda-gates?utm_source=LI&utm_medium=MG_OG&utm_campaign=EV_NOV&utm_content=112519_POST_&linkId=77685176

An Upworthy Lfyt for hearing impaired Uber driver  https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JW7AkHl54/?igshid=18kwua6omdw69

The rise of women CEOs in Australia’s aid NGOs – DevPolicyBlog – https://devpolicy.org/the-rise-of-women-ceos-in-australias-aid-ngos-20191122/

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commissioner at Australian Human Rights Commission https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6604500088070991872/

Emergency Services Manager Jai O’Toole shares an update on hashtag#bushfires and hashtag#heatwave conditions in hashtag#SouthAustralia and how Red Cross volunteers are helping in SA as well as hashtag#NSW and hashtag#QLD https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6603748901990305792/

Alex Johnson, who has today been appointed our new Chief Fire Officer, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6601080740216213505/

A great way to spend a Saturday – building connections and community resilience through food! A fantastic day of sharing experiences and learning new things from Sandra, a professional Colombian chef! https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6601316991540310016/

Young Professionals in Emergency Management (YPEM)  https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6605169475509714944/

Doing their Part – meet the Barwon Heads duo training the next generation of female leaders https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6598794435830607872/

I had a great discussion with Jane Caro and Catherine Fox for their podcast Women With Clout – you can listen to the full episode at this link: https://lnkd.in/fcHAFnw – Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commissioner at Australian Human Rights Commission

Good and Ready volunteer – Become an advocate for emergency preparedness and planning in your community. Erin Smith and Maggie Chum https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6598146023749709824/

Gender pay gap closed as parity confirmed in new Matildas deal https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/06/gender-pay-gap-closed-as-parity-confirmed-in-new-matildas-deal

Five of the Six primary Incident Management Roles at Kempsey filled by these very experienced female practitioners this week. They were very proud to show this off and allow a group photo. A good week and well done. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6597026239175888896/

Ruth McGowan – Get Elected, second edition, https://www.linkedin.com/groups/10384212/

Women to mentor students in programme to get more females into cyber security
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/women-to-mentor-students-in-programme-to-get-more-females-into-cyber-security

5 steps for managing your finances after disaster – Elizabeth McNaughton and Jolie Wills https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6601943418413416448/

Domestic violence will spike in the bushfire aftermath, and governments can no longer ignore it
https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/domestic-violence-will-spike-in-the-bushfire-aftermath-and-governments-can-no-longer-ignore-it/

Investing in flexible work and child care invests in women’s careers and the economy
Attitudes to gender and work are sidelining the careers and limiting the potential of women, and are harmful to Australia’s economic welfare, according to KPMG, who have recommended increasing the child care subsidy to help parents back to work and boost GDP. Affordable child care is key to ensuring women who want to work can without losing out financially. Alongside this, the National Working Parents Report shows that parents want more flexibility over when and where they worked, reduction in job pressure and overall workload and help with care services such as having access to child care at work. They also want more role models or ‘champions’ that foster a family-friendly workplace culture as well as personal health and well-being and parenting education programs at work.

Ash Barty encourages girls to stay in sport through new campaign https://www.tennis.com.au/news/2019/10/30/ash-barty-encourages-girls-to-stay-in-sport-through-new-campaign

Submissions are due on the 2nd last Friday of the month. For queries or to change your subscription, or to let us know what you would like to see in the newsletter email us at [email protected].