AWE Newsletter July 2025
AWE News
From webinar to publication: Women’s leadership in disaster recovery
In May last year, AWE hosted Northern Rivers community members, volunteers and researchers Rebecca McNaught and Emma Pittaway for the AWE webinar Disaster Governance, Collaboration and Community Organising: A Gendered Perspective. Rebecca and Emma shared powerful insights from their research into the 2022 floods, alongside their lived experiences of gender and disaster.
Inspired by the session and ongoing community conversations, Rebecca and Emma have now published a paper titled Governance, Collaboration and Community Organising in Rural Australia: A Case Study of Women’s Experiences and Contributions to Community Health and Wellbeing in the Northern Rivers, Australia Floods. Their work highlights the vital leadership roles women play in disaster response and recovery—and the importance of recognising and resourcing this contribution.
Natural Hazards Research Forum
It was great to see so many AWE members, friends and allies at the 2025 Natural Hazards Research Forum in Adelaide. The Forum is a great way to learn more about the important research that NHRA has underway and, importantly, how it is being and will be used.
AWE Secretary Liz Drumm and AWE President Bridget Tehan were very excited to meet in person for the first time!
2025 King’s Birthday Honours
This year’s King’s Birthday Honours awards recognise meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous service. Included in this year’s awards are the following women:
Australian Fire Services Medal
Sharon Kennelly-Merritt
Paula Douglas
Simone Conklin
Lee Ann Humphris
Ambulance Service Medal
Shireen Doyle
Tracey Bellamy
Lisa Deck
Emergency Services Medal
Shaleigh Lennox
Julia Rozycka
Fleur O’Connor
AWE congratulates these women, and all award recipients, for their extraordinary contributions and service, and congratulates them for being recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
AWE Scholarships making a difference!
AWE member Sarah Collins received a Philippa Woolf Scholarship in 2023, and recently posted on LinkedIn:
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve successfully obtained my Diploma in Public Safety (Emergency Management). People often ask me, “Why this qualification? What’s it going to get you?” My answer is one that may confuse some. I didn’t choose this to land some huge promotion. This was about my growth in a sector that I’m passionate about. For me, it’s about continually learning, enhancing my knowledge, and being the best leader I can be for my team. A heartfelt thank you to AWE, Philippa Woolf, and the amazing team at ACIM Solutions for your unwavering support throughout. Life is full of challenges, and barriers are inevitable, but regardless of your age or the obstacles in your path, you’re never too old to learn, and you’re never too busy to grow.
Congratulations Sarah. We are thrilled to have supported your skills and knowledge and helped you follow your passion!
We’ve got two scholarships currently on offer, including a new scholarship in New Zealand! Scroll down for details.
NAIDOC Week 6-13 July
AWE recognises NAIDOC Week as an opportunity to learn about, recognise and celebrate Australian First Nations’ cultures and histories, the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. The recent Indigenous of AJEM, and the upcoming Indigenous disaster research webinar are a great way we can start our knowledge journey of First Nations-led emergency management and disaster resilience.
AWE Recognition Awards
AWE Scholarships
AWE Mentoring Program
AWE Member Profiles
Kylie Ledger
Singleton Council
Kylie Ledger is a respected leader in emergency management with nearly 20 years of service in the NSW Rural Fire Service and key roles in Singleton Council. She has led emergency responses to fires, floods, and storms, and played a pivotal role during the 2019-2020 bushfires. A strong advocate for women in emergencies, she has driven gender-inclusive initiatives and mentored future professionals as an Adjunct Academic. Kylie is known for her ability to simplify complex issues, foster collaboration, and implement innovative solutions that strengthen community preparedness and resilience. Her leadership, insight, and dedication make her a standout in the sector.
Kylie received a 2024 AWE Recognition Award for Leadership in recognition of her role and contribution.
Siusan McKenzie
Emergency Services Foundation
Siusan MacKenzie is a trailblazer in emergency management, known for her strategic leadership, innovation, and unwavering advocacy. She transformed bushfire communications at CFA, improved emergency media reporting, and forged key partnerships with outlets like ABC radio. As CEO of the Emergency Services Foundation, she has led sector-wide change in addressing mental health, launching pioneering programs such as Leading for Better Mental Health and the Residential Wellbeing Program. Siusan also champions inclusion, founding a sector-wide International Women’s Day event and introducing diversity awards in 2024. Her vision, empathy, and impact make her an influential and inspiring leader in the sector.
Siusan received a 2024 AWE Recognition Award for Outstanding Leadership in recognition of her role and influence.
AWE Member Profiles showcase the diversity, skills, and experience of our members. They also highlight the vast range of roles, paid and volunteer, that make up the emergency and disaster resilience sector. This year, we’re featuring the recipients of the 2024 AWE Recognition Awards.
AWE Australian Chapters
AWE QLD
Queensland Breakfast Networking Event – Gold Coast DEMC
For those attending the Disaster and Emergency Management Conference, join the AWE network before Day 2 commences. For breakfast or a cuppa, meet the AWEsome network at 7am on Wednesday 16 July at the Tees’ Clubhouse.
Register here
Queensland Chapter Lunchtime Online Meeting – Guest Speaker Vina Varsani
Join us for a lunchtime, online chapter meeting, where we will be joined by guest speaker Vina Varsani, General Manager Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
12pm Wednesday 23 July 2025.
Register here
AWE VIC
AWE Port Melbourne Breakfast Catch-Up
8.30am Monday 29 July 2025
Rock, Paper, Scissors, 36/138 Rouse St, Port Melbourne
Come along for a gentle coffee/breakfast and informal chat with other AWE members. Parking is easy, so pop in on your way to work. Please RSVP to Kathy at [email protected], or just decide to join us on the morning. All welcome!
Rock, Paper, Scissors, 36/138 Rouse St, Port Melbourne
Come along for a gentle coffee/breakfast and informal chat with other AWE members. Parking is easy, so pop in on your way to work. Please RSVP to Kathy at [email protected], or just decide to join us on the morning. All welcome!
Details and more dates here.
AWE Yarra Ranges Breakfast
AWE members living or working in or around the Yarra Ranges and outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne are invited to come along to breakfast at Hutch & Co, 251 Main Street Lilydale at 8.30am on the third Wednesday of each month. Email Amanda at [email protected] to let us know if you can make it.
AWE New Zealand
Kia ora AWE whānau!
We’re keeping the energy going with a mix of engaging in-person and online events across Aotearoa. Here’s what’s coming up – we’d love to see you there!
NEW New Zealand Scholarship!
We’re very excited to be offering two Scholarships for the July Leading in Disaster Recovery Workshop in partnership with Disastrous. More information in the AWE Scholarships section above, or click here for full details, including how to apply.
Wellington Monthly Breakfast
Come along to meet AWE members friends and allies at Dillinger’s on Tuesday 5 August from 7.30am–8.45am.
It’s a relaxed way to connect with others across the sector.
RSVP via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/awe-nz-wellington-monthly-breakfasts
It’s a relaxed way to connect with others across the sector.
RSVP via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/awe-nz-wellington-monthly-breakfasts
At the Frontline Event with Rachel Kelleher
On 18 June, AWE New Zealand hosted a powerful online kōrero with Rachel Kelleher, Director Community at Auckland Council and a key leader during Auckland’s 2023 emergency responses. A huge thank you to everyone who joined to hear Rachel share her experiences as an emergency controller, fronting the media during the Anniversary Day floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, and navigating high-pressure decision-making with empathy, clarity, and a strong sense of purpose. Her reflections on leading under pressure, being in the public eye, and staying grounded in purpose resonated with many across our network.
Whether you’re in a leadership role or just starting out, this session offers practical insight and real-world reflections on what it means to lead through crisis.
If you missed the live event—or want to watch it again—you can catch the full recording here.
NZ King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours
AWE recognises all recipients of New Zealand’s King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours awards which recognise those who have served and achieved, and especially those in the emergency management and disaster resilience sector. AWE congratulates all award recipients for their extraordinary contributions and service and congratulates them for being recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours!
Help us grow local AWE events!
If you’re interested in attending, hosting, or organising AWE events in your area—whether that’s a casual coffee catch-up, speaker session, or something bigger—we’d love to hear from you. We’re especially keen to support more events in Auckland, where we know there’s strong interest already building. Get in touch with Amy via [email protected] and let’s bring more AWE events to your region!
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.
please forward them to AWE NZ Chapter Lead Amy.
AWE Pacific
Please note that AWE Pacific is taking a temporary pause from regular activities due to capacity challenges.
While the pause is temporary, it allows us space for reflection, regrouping, and planning for what’s next.
We’ll keep you updated on any developments, and welcome your support or expressions of interest if you’d like to be part of shaping AWE Pacific’s future. Please email us at [email protected] to arrange a discussion.
Women in Emergencies for Climate Action
The Women in Emergencies for Climate Action meetings are a great opportunity to meet, learn from and support other AWE members working in climate related roles, or with an interest in climate action. We all learn from each other at every meeting. Make sure you register the dates for the upcoming meetings in your diary and come along and share and learn with us. Meeting dates and registration details can be found here.
Professional Development
Disaster recovery – free Red Cross webinar series
Australian Red Cross’ Recovery Basics webinar series has been designed to provide organisations and community members with the basics of community recovery after a disaster. Learn more about the evidence, information and resources to support community recovery in Australia, and come away with practical tips and tricks to look after yourselves and the people around you living and working after a disaster.
20 August, 12-1:30PM (AEST) Recovery Basics: The Impacts of Disasters on Communities and Individuals
24 September, 12-1:30PM (AEST) Recovery Basics: Supporting the Supporters
15 October, 12-1:30PM (AEDT) Introduction to Communicating in Recovery
26 November, 12-1:30PM (AEDT) Psychosocial Support (PSS) Community Toolkit
3 December, 12-1:30PM (AEDT) Recovery Basics: First Nations Peoples and Communities
Sector News & Resources
174 years of bushfire: Check out this article which explores what 174 years of bushfire records has taught us about emergency management.
Analysing bushfire preparedness imagery: This research provides a visual analysis of bushfire preparedness, finding they overlook both diversity and Indigenous perspectives for bushfire readiness.
Australian Disaster Resilience Index update: The Australian Disaster Resilience Index has had a major update, providing a step forward in how Australia understands and plans for disaster resilience at a national scale.
Disaster recovery TEDx Talk: Check out this TEDx Talk by Dr Kate Brady on why we prepare to survive disasters but not to cope with what comes after.
Flood sensing technology: This news article shares how Australian researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of world-first real-time water level and rainfall sensing technology using existing mobile phone networks.
FRRR Grants: FRRR is currently offering Community Led Climate Solutions, Strengthening Rural Communities, and Prepare & Recover grants.
Girls on Fire in Victoria: Girls on Fire is running its Fire and Resilience Program at VEMTC on July 9, 2025, for girls aged 14-19. Volunteers and participants wanted.
Housing, homelessness and disasters: This new report explores the convergence of the housing crisis, homeless, and increasing emergencies and disasters.
Individual preparedness: This research explores individual preparedness for flood and bushfire emergencies with implications for effective interventions.
In utero exposure to both extreme heat and a natural disaster: Climate disasters may be leaving invisible imprints on developing brains before birth, according to new groundbreaking research from the USA.
Reducing cyclone intensity: Aerosols could hold the key to stopping potentially destructive cyclones in their tracks, according to a first-of-its-kind study from The Australian National University.
Schools in fire country: This video explains how a small primary school in Victoria a research-informed approach to bushfire education for upper primary school students.
What to watch: If you’re needing to nerd out on a cold winter’s day, Netflix is currently streaming Grenfell Uncovered and Lessons from a School Shooting: Notes from Dunblane.
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 Events
2025
12-15 July Disaster and Emergency Management Conference 2025 (Gold Coast)
23-25 July Climate Adaptation 2025 (Perth)
29-30 July Emergency Management Conference 2025 (Melbourne)
26-28 August AFAC/ADRC 2025 (Perth)
23-25 July Climate Adaptation 2025 (Perth)
29-30 July Emergency Management Conference 2025 (Melbourne)
26-28 August AFAC/ADRC 2025 (Perth)
13 -16 October The 8th International Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025) (NZ)
2026
23 – 24 March Gender and Disaster Conference (Melbourne)
If you are attending any of the major events 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.
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.
Visit www.awenetwork.org.au. Email us at [email protected].
To become an AWE member, please visit www.awenetwork.org.au/join-us.
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.
Newsletter Contributions: The AWE Newsletter is published monthly and is distributed to more than 2200 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].
|
Australasian Women in Emergencies Network |