AWE Newsletter - October 2024

Promoting, supporting and recognising the contributions of women
in emergency management and disaster resilience across Australasia.

Welcome to the October 2024 edition of the AWE Newsletter

Click on the links below to get straight to what you want to read:
AWE News
2024 AWE Recognition Awards
AWE Events
AWE Australian Chapters
AWE New Zealand
AWE Pacific
Women in Emergencies for Climate Action
Professional development
Sector n ews and resources
Sector j ob opportunities
S ector events

To open the full newsletter in your browser please click here

AWE News

We’re fundraising!

Since 2018, AWE has promoted, supported and recognised women in emergencies and disasters across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Over the next four weeks, we’re calling on our friends and allies across the sector to help us keep this important work going by making a donation towards our $10,000 fundraising target.

AWE is a volunteer-powered not-for-profit and offers free membership to women in the sector.
Your donation will help cover our administration costs, fund important opportunities like networking events, mentorship, scholarships, recognition awards and AWE Day.

All of our work goes towards championing and promoting opportunities for women in the disaster and emergencies sector, and your donation will ensure these AWEsome opportunities are accessible and provided free of charge. Donate today and share with your networks!

AWE Recognition Awards: Winners announced!

Long term AWE Advisor, Ruth Wraith OAM announced the 23 winners of the 2024 AWE Recognition Awards at the Awards Ceremony last week.

The AWE Recognition Awards formally recognise and honour those who inspire us and make a significant contribution to emergency management and disaster resilience. Nominees for this year’s Awards play a range of roles and come from a range of different organisations across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

AWE President Bridget Tehan said, “The breadth and depth of the skills and experience of this year’s Awards recipients is extraordinary. Collectively these women paint a picture of emergency management and disaster resilience across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific – one where everybody has an important role to play, from leaders and front-line responders to technical experts, researchers, trainers and volunteers. Congratulations to all our 2024 AWE Recognition Award winners!”

A huge thanks to all AWE members who nominated and/or provided references for nominees. You have helped shine a light on some truly extraordinary women in emergencies and disasters.

Visit our Awards section below and visit our Awards webpage for details of all our winners.

AWE Day

Yesterday was AWE Day! AWE members, friends and allies celebrated with a range of activities including an AWE Day Forum featuring four AWEsome women who shared stories about their careers, how to support women new to the sector, and the importance of wellbeing. Notable advice included:
“Let’s lift each other up as women”, Dr Kendra Clegg, Emergency Recovery Victoria
“Recognise that everyone has something to offer”, Sherene Mounier, CFA Victoria
“Support women by pulling up a chair to the table”, Erin Pelly, Australian Red Cross
“Be curious, network and ask questions”, Sharon Henry, Brisbane City Council

Another key takeaway from the Forum was advice that being a bridesmaid develops your organisational and logistics skills! As part of the Forum, AWE asked attendees to provide one word that describes women in emergency management and disaster resilience:

AWE NZ celebrated AWE Day with a breakfast in Wellington, dinner in Christchurch and an evening networking event in Kapiti! See the AWE NZ section below for details.

AWE at AFAC/ADRC 2024

Around 20 AWE members met for breakfast on Day 3 of AFAC/ADRC in September. As we were getting to know each other over eggs and coffee, we were thrilled to be visited by the new Minister for Emergency Management, the Hon Jenny McAllister. The Minister chatted with members to learn more about their diverse roles and responsibilities, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of AWE. There were so many great presentations at the conference, including the fabulous panel session on masculinity and disasters. The AWE Poster at ADRC was a huge hit with lots of people asking about AWE, our members, and what we offer.

Mental health week

This week is Mental Health Week. AWE recognises that one in five Australians is affected by mental illness annually. Mental health is also an important issue for people who work or volunteer in the emergency management and disaster resilience sector – first responders in particular face significantly higher risks for mental health issues compared to the general population. If you or someone you know in the sector in Australia needs support, please visit Phoenix Australia, or in New Zealand please visit Hauora Hinengaro Mental Health. And remember you can always reach out to AWE for advice, information or someone to talk to.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction – 13 October

AWE recognises International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction as an opportunity to acknowledge the progress being made toward preventing and reducing disaster risk and loss. This year’s theme is empowering the next generation for a resilient future. There is an increasing focus on the strengths and needs of children and young people in disasters. Check out AIDR’s free webinar, their Education for young people resources, Emerging Minds mental health resources, Red Cross Pillowcase Workshops and the new Centre of Excellence – Young People and Disasters, and the Australian Breastfeeding Association various resources.

2024 AWE Recognition Awards

Congratulations to all winners of the 2024 AWE Recognition Awards

Building resilience with communities
Elly Bird, Resilient Lismore
Mischa Hill, Wellington Region Emergency Management Group

Promoting gender equity
Evelyn Fiualakwa, RedR Australia and UN Women
Frances Ford, City of Greater Bendigo
Sherri McKerley, CFA Victoria

Knowledge development & advancement
Dr Blythe McLennan, Natural Hazards Research Australia
Malin Zachau, Taskforce Kiwi
Kate Williams, Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Tahlia Wolverson, CFS South Australia
Mandy Maglaras, CFA Victoria

Leadership:
Kiley Haslow, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Council
Siusan MacKenzie, Emergency Services Foundation
Julie Bernhagen, SES Tasmania
Liza Dowling, Douglas Shire Council
Kylie Kleinig, SES South Australia
Kylie Ledger, Rural Fire Service NSW

Mentoring
Sherene Mounier, CFA Victoria
Susan Shaw, Land Information New Zealand

Promoting volunteerism
Michelle Gillman, Taskforce Kiwi
Melanie Conn, Orange Sky Australia
Lisa Sprlyan, Orange Sky Australia
Josey Sensi, Fire Rescue Victoria
Jenny Wilson, SES Queensland

Visit our Awards webpage for details of the Award categories and all our winners.

AWE Events

Care through Disaster

12pm AEDT
Wednesday 20 November

What do our communities need to be cared for through disaster, and what can leaders do about it? Australia ReMADE and Women’s Health Goulburn North East have published a report and toolkit that explore what communities need and make recommendations for people to be seen, safe and supported during and after a crisis.

Join AWE and Australia ReMADE to learn more about the contributions we can make as citizens, community organisations, through all levels of government, to build a new infrastructure of care at a scale required for communities to thrive through increasing systemic disaster risk.

Book now

AWE AGM

Save the date! The AWE AGM will take place at 5pm AEDT on Tuesday 10 December. Come along to hear about our year in review and what’s in store for 2025.

Book now

AWE events are a great way to learn about and get to know other women in the emergency management and disaster resilience sectors – keep an eye on our calendar of events, Missed an AWE event?
Many of our past events are available for viewing on our YouTube page.

Would your organisation like to host an event with support from AWE? Feel free to email us and we can work with you to facilitate an in-person or virtual opportunity for our members.

AWE Australian Chapters

AWE VIC

AWE Yarra Ranges Breakfast

AWE members living or working in or around the Yarra Ranges and outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne are also invited to come along to breakfast at Hutch & Co, 251 Main Street Lilydale at 8.30am Wednesday 14 August.

Email Amanda to let us know if you can make it.

Chapter Leads meet on the third Thursday of each month at 12pm AEST. The meeting link is here.
There were some great ideas shared at our last catch up so keep your eye out on events in your chapter in this newsletter, on the AWE events page, or in your emails, and if you have any ideas for an event you would like to attend, or host, please email us.

AWE New Zealand

AWE New Zealand member survey

We’re keen to know what women want….from the AWE Network! Our NZ member survey is live and ready for your input and suggestions. Help us understand how we can work together to can recognise, support, and meet the needs of you and other women across the emergency and disaster sector. Please share your thoughts by 25 October, as the survey will directly influence and guide discussion in our online chapter get-together meeting, planned for 30 October!

AWE NZ online get-together
5:30pm Wednesday 30 October

Calling all AWE members, friends and allies from across Aotearoa New Zealand. Dial in to connect, get updates and share experiences at this informal online get-together. Register here.

AWE Day NZ!

Our celebration of AWE Day got off to a strong start in Aotearoa New Zealand, with 12 women gathering for breakfast in Wellington for conversation and relationship building.

The spirit continued with an evening gathering in Paraparaumu at the Kāpiti Emergency Operations Centre. Women from eight different organisations talked about AWE, ways we can support and empower women in the sector, and topics we’d like to turn into future speaker evenings and gatherings. It wasn’t all business after a round of networking – there were two cakes as well!

The South Island wasn’t about to miss out either and a group met in Christchurch to recognise AWE Day. Despite it being a relatively small group we had six different agencies and stakeholders represented. It is always great to catch up and there was awesome conversation and re/connections made.

Women in Emergencies: New Zealand Volunteer Spotlight Series

It’s been a busy month online for volunteers and women in New Zealand, with the final sessions and completion of our five-part volunteer series featuring women from New Zealand Red Cross (NZRC), Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), and Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR). These sessions enabled presenters and audience members to talk about their experiences, advice, and hopes for the future of women in these voluntary organisations. A full recap of the sessions is coming soon and in the meantime, you’re invited to watch any or all of the presentations on our AWE Network Youtube channel.

AWE NZ Wellington Breakfast – first Tuesday of every month

7.30am Tuesday 5 November
Old Bailey Restaurant
101 Lambton Quay, Wellington
We’re back to the Old Bailey in November! Come join us in the capital for breakfast on the first Tuesday of the month! Drop in to the Old Bailey from 7:30am – have a coffee or stay for breakfast and connect with AWE members and other women working in our sector!
To RSVP and ensure space, please contact Amy.

If you have any specific news or information to share with other AWE NZ members, or queries,
please forward them to AWE NZ Chapter Lead Amy.

AWE Pacific

If you live or work anywhere in the Pacific, or have an interest in emergency management and disaster resilience across the Pacific, come along to our next AWE Pacific Chapter Meet & Greet at 9.30am AEDT on Wednesday 16 October.
Everybody is welcome!
Register here.

Congratulations Everlyn!

We’re excited to announce that Everlyn Fiualakwa has won an Outstanding AWE Recognition Award for promoting gender equity within the emergency management and disaster resilience sector. Everlyn was nominated for her transformative work in gender-responsive disaster risk reduction in the Solomon Islands. Through her role with UN Women, Everlyn empowers women and vulnerable groups, integrating their voices into disaster planning to enhance community resilience. Her dedication to gender equality, her collaborative approach, and her commitment to saving lives have significantly improved disaster preparedness and response in her community.

If you would like to get in touch with the AWE Pacific Chapter Lead, or have any news, information or events to share with AWE Pacific members, please email us at [email protected]u

Women in Emergencies for Climate Action

The next Climate chapter meeting takes place on Wednesday 16 October. You can register here. Please contact Amanda with any queries.

News and resources:

Climate change and tourism: This article outlines a recent report which finds that half of Australia’s top 178 tourism assets were at risk from foreseeable climate change.
USA Climate resilience framework: The USA’ first National Climate Resilience Framework establishes a vision for a climate-resilient nation and guidance for resilience-related activities and investments by the federal government and its partners.
Why the Darling River is drying up: R esearch shows that climate change is contributing to reduced water levels.

The Women in Emergencies for Climate Action chapter aims to be a strong and inclusive voice in climate change advocacy and action, sharing experience and expertise, and leveraging our partnerships and networks to add our voice and commitment to the climate emergency.

Professional development

Emergency Management Liaison Officer
This short course by ACIM Solutions covers the key skills and knowledge requirements for EMLOs, including understanding their authority to represent their organisation and the emergency management arrangements within which the incident is being managed, and ensuring effective communication between the incident management team and their organisation.

Disaster support for babies, toddlers & caregivers
This free e-learning module by the Australian Breastfeeding Association is designed for emergency responders of all kinds. Topics include the vulnerability of babies, toddlers and their caregivers in emergencies; emergency preparedness for babies and toddlers; evacuation centres and acute emergency response; and recovery and responding to distress.

Sector news and resources

ACT Disaster Resilience Strategy: This new strategy aims to minimise the devastating losses communities can face from bushfires, floods, storms, security situations and other hazards. It promotes collective responsibility for disaster resilience and a common vision and whole of society approach to disaster resilience.

Benefits of drought support : A new report commissioned by FRRR into its long-running Tackling Tough Times Together (TTT) drought support program has found that funding local not-for-profit organisations and community groups and activities that strengthen social capital during drought sustains communities and supports recovery. FRRR has developed 10 podcasts featuring interviews with community groups across Australia who used TTTT grants to support their communities through the drought.

Curiosity, creativity and collaboration: This Churchill Fellowship report by Melinda McDonald explores co-designed fire and emergency risk reduction programs tailored for culturally diverse communities.

Disaster Recovery Almanac: A new Almanac from HowWeSurvive aims to share a range of voices – including community leaders, policy makers, practitioners and researchers – exploring disaster recovery.

Emergency resources for babies and toddlers: The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a wide range of resources for parents and caregivers, as well as resources to support young families in emergencies.

ESF Scholarships: The ESF scholarships provide an opportunity for both paid staff and volunteer members of the Victorian Emergency Services to undertake a study tour that will lead to improvements in Victoria’s emergency management sector. Applications are now open.

Gender in disaster recovery: This literature review highlights the need for the expansion of research in gender disaster recovery, in the short-term and long-term phases

Road to resilience: This Victorian podcast explores resilience, what it looks like for Victorians and how community members can support each other.

SimCity for resilience planning: Researchers are creating an innovative ‘SimCity’ to improve resilience planning and better prepare cities for natural disasters.

Virtual firefighting: UNSW’s iCinema Research Centre has created iFire, a cutting-edge training system that allows firefighters and emergency responders to virtually teleport into a burning landscape and train for the real thing.

If you’ve got news or resources you would like shared in the AWE Newsletter, please email us the details by the end of the calendar month in time for publication the first week of each month.

Sector job opportunities

ACT
Media and Crisis Communications, Australian Government

NSW
Emergency Management and Resilience Coordinator, Cessnock City Council
Operational Training Officer (Area), South Coast, NSW Rural Fire Service

QLD
Manager (Emergency Management), Department of Transport and Main Roads
Operations Manager, St John Ambulance (Qld)

SA
Community Engagement Officer, South Australian Country Fire Service
Senior Communications & Engagement Officer, South Australian Country Fire Service

TAS
Coordinator, Wellbeing Support, Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Statewide FirstAid Coordinator, Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management

VIC
Trainer, Bendigo area, Victoria State Emergency Service
Officer – ES & Community Mobilisation, Australian Red Cross

WA
Community Emergency Services Manager, Shire of Ravensthorpe
Bushfire Mitigation Supervisor, City of Rockingham

NZ
Senior Advisor Community Readiness, Recovery & Relief Wellington, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Advisor Policy Wellington, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Sector events

If you are attending any of the major events below this year and would like to meet up with other AWE members, please email us at [email protected] and we’ll help you to connect.

2024

13 October International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

14 -17 October Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (PH)

7 – 9 November Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress

11 – 24 November UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29)

19 November IGEM 2024 Queensland Disaster Management Research Forum

1 – 2 December International Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming (NZ)

2025

8 March International Women’s Day

27 – 29 May Local Govt Assoc. Qld Disaster Management Conference

18 – 20 June Natural Hazards Research Forum 2025

29 – 30 July Emergency Management Conference 2025 (Melbourne)

13 -16 October The 8th international Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025 )

2026

24 – 25 March Gender and Disaster Conference (NEW!)

Newsletter contributions

The AWE Newsletter is published monthly and is distributed to more than 2000 AWE members across Australasia. For contributions, queries or to let us know what you would like to see in the newsletter, please email us at [email protected].

About AWE

The Australasian Women in Emergencies Network (AWE) promotes, supports and recognises the contributions of women in emergency management and disaster resilience across Australasia.

www.awenetwork.org.au

[email protected]

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AWE acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. AWE acknowledges the injustices committed against First Nations people and recognise Sovereignty has never been ceded. Australian land always was, and always will be Aboriginal land.

AWE recognises the unique role of Māori, and embraces the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti), NZ’s foundation document confirming Māori as tangata whenua, the first people of Aotearoa, New Zealand. It recognises that they have tino rangatiratanga (absolute authority or sovereignty) over their lands, resources, and taonga (treasured possessions) while embracing the three guiding principles of the Te Tiriti – partnership, participation and protection.

AWE acknowledges, values and celebrates the rich diversity and intersectionality of our members, workplaces and communities. We are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, respectful and safe network, where people of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, abilities and experiences feel they belong and are empowered and able to strive and thrive.