The media release was also circulated on AWE Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages.

Here’s what some of our members and supporters had to say about the media release: 

“Congratulations AWE on stepping up on this vital issue. Emergency Leaders for Climate Action welcome and are grateful for your support.” Greg Mullins AO AFSM

“I endorse the call from the AWE Network. There is a great deal of work that needs to be done now so the community (in its most broad construction) is not required to undertake an enormous amount of work to redress inaction.”

“What a sensational organisation! Great to know this is a growing network and hope to hear more about what you do and how we can support you. 👍”

“Well done, getting the message out there. So important to have people aware of the value everyone brings to disaster management.”

“Fantastic! Great to see AWE getting the word out there.”

“I don’t think the Chiefs can hold this very important summit before March, because of the need to continue to focus resources on the fires that need to be brought under control. The situation we find ourselves in is horrendous. AWE needs to have a seat (or indeed many) at this summit so that we can offer our expertise to this conversation. I am so disappointed that the PM is in Hawaii…. I don’t believe that this is an appropriate time to be having a holiday! We must discuss ways to more effectively protect and support communities across this country.”

“What will a summit achieve? The fires are happening now. No point in a shoulda, coulda, woulda conference unless there are specific targets with measurable and realistic outcomes.”

“Political allegiances aside, there is no leadership federally at the moment, from the government or the opposition. The lack of engagement and emergency policy response is appalling.”

“I’m new to the group, but I think this is a really positive development. It would be great for all of our sectors to be included. I have emailed the Climate Council to see what they think about getting those involved in animal emergency management (my research area) involved. Something I noticed about the group calling for the summit is that they’re primarily men. I think men are great, but there is a desperate need for women to be involved too. So I agree – AWE Network should try to get some of its members along to the Summit to emphasise the critical role women play in emergency management.”

“We are being lead or not lead be gov and opp that are more interested in point scoring and sending wishes and hugs. We need people who have knowledge and who have been on the front line as I have been for 40 years to get the tuff stuff done. It’s a widely held opinion in the country that our pollies wouldn’t get their hands dirty. Personally I see them all as cowards. Please feel free to delete if not appropriate.”

“Thank you so much for all your drive and work on this, I really like this release, it is so considered and well-articulated. Fingers crossed it will gain some interest from other influencers and our nation’s leaders.”

“This is so urgent and so important – please keep up the good work.”

“What we’re seeing in NSW and Queensland is only the beginning of we’re likely to expect with climate change.”

“Diverse voices are so important and we know that not including them actually increases risks for vulnerable people.”

“I’m so angry with the lack of political action on this at a national level. It’s appalling that fire services are having to crowd fund for essential items.”

“AWE’s voice is really important.”

“This is exactly what AWE should be doing.”

“Thanks for the great statement on our behalf – 100% behind that.”

We want to know what you think!!!

Please share thoughts on our social media, or by email to [email protected]

Co-Designing Resilience: Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction
On International Day of People with Disability (3 December 2019), Hon Coralee O’Rourke, the Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors announced in a media statement that “disaster preparation is set to become more inclusive in Queensland, thanks to the launch of new risk reduction resources to help people with disability be prepared for when disasters strike.
Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and Toolkit
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/12/3/queensland-delivers-on-disability-inclusion-during-disasters
https://www.facebook.com/awenetwork2018/posts/2555341384696377?__tn__=K-R
https://collaborating4inclusion.org/disability-inclusive-disaster-risk-reduction/?fbclid=IwAR2-5XBV0uuxd_Zs4L0Lw5U_9S45C7IiWDE0AeJhHcUYXPYpJBeMVpRbIlM

EMV Resilient Recovery Strategy released
https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/news/resilient-recovery-strategy-released

Social Recovery Reference Group
The SRRG report investigating how we might think about approaches to supporting community-led recovery is now up on the SRRG page of the AIDR website, scroll down to ‘Resources’. There’s a report with higher level findings, supported by a second paper containing nine case studies from around Australia and New Zealand. Some offerings in here about how we work alongside communities, contributing to co-production of their recovery.
https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/social-recovery-reference-group/

Young Professionals in Emergency Management network
The Young Emergency Management Professionals network has been established. For more information click here https://www.linkedin.com/company/ypem/.

HeatREDi Pilot
Local governments sought for Red Cross heatwave pilot: Australian Red Cross is commencing a pilot program to help people to stay safe in during a heatwave, and is seeking expressions of interest from local governments to be foundation partners. For more information about the HeatREDi Pilot, please contact Kaya Andersen, State Manager Community Programs on 0420 594 893.

Support for family violence
The increased pressures around Christmas and New Year, including stress, financial worries and alcohol abuse, sees a 20 per cent rise in requests for family violence services. Violence can be physical, emotional, psychological or sexual. Manipulation, threats, coercion, humiliation, stalking and controlling behaviour are all forms of family violence. In an emergency call 000. If you or anyone you know needs help over the coming weeks, please contact one of the following:

• 1800 Respect national helpline 1800 737 732
• Women’s Crisis Line 1800 811 811
• Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
• Lifeline (24 hour crisis line) 131 114
• Relationships Australia 1300 364 277

IGEM Vic are looking for a Project Support Officer to assist with development and implementation of evaluation and review processes over the next 12 months, including 2020 reviews. Applications have been extended until 1/1/20. More info http://seek.com.au & http://careers.vic.gov.au

Please join fellow Australasian Women in Emergencies Network members and friends to start the year in AWE!

Thursday 23 January 2020
18:00 – 19:30 AEST
Townsville Local Disaster Coordination Centre
113 Dalrymple Rd
Townsville 

Hear from leaders in the emergency management sector, network with other attendees and gain an inside look at the Townsville Local Disaster Coordination Centre.

Your free ticket includes:
– Complementary light refreshments;
– Tour of the Townsville Local Disaster Coordination Centre.

Spaces are limited, so secure your free ticket at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/start-your-year-in-awe-tickets-86438222049?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

If you have suggestions or would like to host an event please email Alessia and Alicia at [email protected] or [email protected]

Tasmania
Debra Ong
[email protected]

Victoria
Deb Brown
Angela Draper
[email protected]

Western Australia
Charmaine Dalton
Erin Fuery
[email protected]

We had invigorating and informing presentations from Hayley Martin, “Hayley’s Comet – leaving a trail for the deaf community to follow” and Dr Emma Calgaro on “Exploring ways to increase inclusive engagement in DRR in Australia”.

Hayley is an SES volunteer and shared her stories about how she has thrived as a deaf person in the SES as a fully active and participating member of her SES unit. She has also published a number of videos on Facebook where she has shared important emergency information through Auslan. More information is in the AWE News section. We will provide links and more information in an upcoming AWE newsletter.
https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/news/all-news/2019/meet-deaf-nsw-ses-wyong-volunteer-haley-martin/

Emma led a discussion on ideas to get support and funding to upscale good examples and practices in inclusion in building disaster risk reduction. It would be great if AWE and its members can support Emma’s work in this important area. Contact Emma for more information.

The meeting closed with an inclusive and inspiring discussion about AWE and opportunities specifically for AWE NSW to continue to grow and develop in 2020.

Thank you to AWE Chapter Lead Catherine Strods for organising such a great meeting and networking event afterwards.

We’re excited to see a really engaged membership with ideas for hosting events, mentoring and get togethers. We are all about distributed leadership so we’re totally up for getting behind any events, informal gatherings or ideas that members want to run in their areas. The AWE Network is absolutely for the membership to shape so please let us know if you have an idea or event you want us to promote or get behind for next year – we have a few keen people who are set to do this already.

Thank you to all the NZ members for getting on board, spreading the word, and most importantly for the great work that you do everyday. It’s been a challenging year for many, so we hope you manage a well earned restorative break over the holiday season. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Meri Kirihimete
Elizabeth and Jolie

Margaret will finalise the guidelines over the summer break.  Mentoring will be made available to AWE members in early 2020.  AWE members will be invited to express interest in participating in the program as a mentor or a mentee.  Everyone is encouraged to think about the value of mentoring and of their participation.  This is a fabulous way that we can connect with and support one another.  Stay tuned!

Some membership information from 2019:

• Membership growth:
  • grown from 929 in Dec 2018 to 1189 in Dec 2019 (an increase of 260 over the year)
  • 63 of these in the last month (17 Nov to 17 Dec 2019) so we’re having another growth spurt
• Member locations:
  • 84% of members come from Australia
  • 5% from New Zealand
  • Our international members come from Denmark, Cameroon, Canada, Viet Nam, Vanuatu

AWE membership breakdown: 

• Government – state 26% 
• Emergency service organisation 23% 
• Police 3% 
• Fire/fire and rescue 21% 
• Ambulance 2% 
• State emergency service 12% 
• Not for profit organisation 20% 
• Government – local 16% 
• Community member 12% 
• Consultant or self employed 12% 
• Education – university or school 11% 
• Social service/human service organisation 8% 
• Health organisation 7% 
• Research 7% 
• Private business or organisation 4% 
• Government – federal 2% 
• Student 4% 
• Defence 1% 
• Media 0.5

Our members: 

• work for local and state and commonwealth government departments and agencies in preparedness, response and recovery in disasters  
• are paid and volunteer staff with not-for-profit organisations that work with people and communities to prepare for disasters  
• are paid and volunteer staff with emergency service agencies as frontline responders  
• are paramedics, doctors and other health professionals who treat people who have suffered injuries  
• are police who provide community safety, evacuation, road control, victim identification and other services  
• establish and operate evacuation, relief and recovery centres  
• psychologists and counsellors who support people who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in emergencies 
• work to clean up after disasters and begin the long, slow recovery process 
• are academics and researchers who conduct crucial research to understand what hazards we face, how best we can respond and how disasters impact us  
• are community development workers and others who support communities to rebuild their lives 
• have experienced disasters themselves and support other community members who have been impacted by disasters   

The Australasian Women in Emergencies Network promotes and supports the contributions of women in emergencies and disasters, building stronger and more resilient individuals, organisations and communities. 

The AWE Committee met in December with a full agenda including discussions about:

• the finalisation of the AWE Mentoring Program and Guidelines
• upgrades to the AWE website and member database
• support to the AWE Chapter Leads
• Stakeholder and partner engagement
• Collaboration and engagement with prospective international members and organisations
• Scholarship opportunity for AWE members
• Sponsorship and partnership opportunities

We expect 2020 will be a busy year for the AWE network as we continue to grow and expand our offering to the AWE members and the disaster resilience and emergency management community more broadly.

AWE Postcards

We have circulated a file for the AWE postcards to all Chapter Leads. If you would like to get some, or print them yourselves, please get in touch with your chapter lead.

As always, we would love to hear from our members if there are any key activities or areas you would ike the Committee to consider, or iof you have any questions. Please email us at [email protected] 

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].