AWE Recognition Award Winners 2025

Ruth Wraith OAM announced the winners of the 2025 AWE Recognition Awards at the Awards Ceremony on 16 September 2025.

Nominees for this year’s Awards play a wide range of roles and come from a range of different organisations across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. 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 2025 AWE Recognition Award winners!

Leadership

Legacy: For an individual who has made a lasting legacy to the emergency management and disaster resilience sector.

Leadership: Recognition Award for an individual whose leadership has significantly enhanced the emergency management and disaster resilience sector.

Rising Star: For an emerging professional who is establishing a meaningful contribution to the emergency management and disaster resilience sector.

Rochelle FaimaloAWE Recognition Award for Leadership (Legacy)

Rochelle Faimalo was an inspiring emergency manager and leader who set an example with her courage, positivity and determination. Rochelle contributed to emergency management in many ways – particularly through coaching and mentoring staff, as well as through her trusted and frank advice to senior leaders and sector partners. She will be remembered for her warmth, compassion, and genuine commitment to seeing people and communities thrive.

Deb AbbottAWE Recognition Award for Leadership (Leadership)

Deb is Triple Zero Victoria’s inaugural CEO with nearly 40 years in emergency management. A distinguished leader, she’s driven major reforms and led responses to Victoria’s biggest crises. Her leadership builds community resilience through trust, adaptability, and accountability—ensuring Victorians receive timely, reliable support in emergencies. Her dedication to the sector and commitment to developing future leaders, particularly women, is both inspiring and impactful.

Rose StruberAWE Recongition Award for Leadership (Rising Star)

Since joining the Qld State Emergency Service – Thuringowa Group in 2025, Rose quickly proved to be a capable, committed and reliable member of the team, an excellent trainer and a proficient leader. She contributes to the ongoing development and improvement of her peers and the SES.

Knowledge & Capability Development

Local Government Emergency Management: For an individual whose work within local government has significantly enhanced emergency management practices.

Emergency Management Capability Development: For an individual who has contributed to the growth and strengthening of emergency management capability within the sector.

Policy, Planning and Capability Development: For an individual who has played a key role in developing policies, plans, and capabilities in the emergency management and disaster resilience sector.

Liz DrummAWE Recognition Award for Knowledge & Capability Development (Local Government Emergency Management)

Liz has been an active practitioner of disaster management for over 15 years, playing a significant role in response coordination and recovery operations, as a Red Cross Volunteer and as a Disaster Management Lead for Queensland local government. Liz has promoted collaboration, consistency and engagement, forging connections across the sector and ensuring community resilience is at the fore of disaster management operations.

Hannah BrackleyAWE Recognition Award for Knowledge & Capability Development (Local Government Emergency Management)

Hannah is the driving force behind emergency management at Wellington City Council. She embodies trust, adaptability, and collaboration – ensuring our people, plans, and volunteers are always prepared. Her professionalism, integrity, and dedication strengthen our resilience and reflect the very best of Council’s values and those of AWE.

Rebecca JacksonAWE Recognition Award for Knowledge & Capability Development (Emergency Management Capability Development)

Rebecca’s leadership, innovation, and compassion make her not only a standout professional but also a beloved colleague. She is innovative, kind, adaptable and always willing to lend a hand – the kind of person you want to work with in an emergency. She cares deeply for the community, her colleagues and our profession.

Lauren BantingAWE Recognition Award for Knowledge & Capability Development (Policy, Planning and Capability Development)

Lauren’s leadership enhances integrity across the emergency management sector. She unites teams to collaborate flexibly and effectively, producing high-quality insights in IGEM reviews. With outstanding communication and writing skills, Lauren presents findings as clear, actionable advice, fostering genuine policy and practice improvements.

Connie BollenAWE Recognition Award for Knowledge Capability & Development (Policy, Planning and Capability Development)

Connie Bollen is a respected leader in emergency management, known for her strategic insight, cultural leadership, and commitment to supporting resilience. She has strengthened national planning, policy and engagement, while mentoring others and delivering high-impact work across NEMA and the wider sector with humility and heart.

Disaster Resilience & Inclusion

Disaster Resilience & Inclusion: For an individual whose contribution has advanced the overall disaster resilience of communities.

Sarah DeanAWE OUTSTANDING Recognition Award for Disaster Resilience and Inclusion (Disaster Resilience)

Sarah Dean demonstrates tireless dedication to disaster resilience across the Atherton Tablelands encouraging local capacity-building. Through innovation, persistence, and genuine community connection, she has built lasting systems of preparedness and recovery. Sarah’s leadership and advocacy have empowered our communities to respond with strength.

Jo (Jolene) PatersonAWE OUTSTANDING Recognition Award for Disaster Resilience and Inclusion (Disaster Resilience)

Jo Paterson exemplifies community-centred leadership. A Natural Hazard expert, Emergency Management Advisor and committed volunteer, she unites science, service, and strategy to reduce disaster risk and strengthen preparedness. Jo’s technical expertise, collaborative spirit, and frontline experience make her a standout contributor to resilience across Southland, Te Waipounamu, and beyond. She leads with both heart and purpose.

Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience Practice

Response, recovery, and resilience building: For an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in emergency management practice and capability.

Collaborative practice: For an individual who has contributed to the strengthening of collaborative practice across agencies, disciplines, and jurisdictions.

Vicki AndersonAWE Recognition Award for Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience Practice (Response, recovery, & resilience building)

Vicki is a passionate and respected disaster management leader whose expertise and tireless commitment have delivered lasting impact across Queensland. In particular, her leadership during and after Tropical Cyclone Alfred drove significant outcomes across local, state, and non-government sectors. Vicki is an outstanding role model for women in emergencies.

Fitzah GulamAWE Recognition Award for Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience Practice (Response, recovery, & resilience building)

Fitzah has been the driving force behind building awareness of Victoria’s Marine Pollution responsibilities. Her leadership in creating DTP’s Maritime Emergencies Educational Video Series, combined with five years of dedicated service, has strengthened preparedness, collaboration, and capacity across the sector — making her an outstanding and deserving award recipient.

Tiffani KingAWE Recognition Award for Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience Practice (Collaborative practice)

Tiffani is actively working to strengthen disaster resilience by building cross-agency relationships that foster trust and collaboration before crises occur. Through inclusive networking and connection-building, she enhances preparedness, embodies AWE’s values of respect and collaboration, and demonstrates visionary leadership deserving of recognition.

Advancing Gender Equity & Mentoring

Mentoring Contribution: For an individual who has made a significant contribution to mentoring women in the emergency management and/or disaster resilience sector.

Advancing Gender Equity: For an individual whose contribution as an ally has advanced gender equity and inclusion via mentoring in emergency management and disaster resilience.

Sandra WallisonAWE Recognition Award for Advancing Gender Equity & Mentoring (Mentoring Contribution)

Sandie is passionate about and committed to developing resilient and capable communities in western Qld, starting with improving volunteerism amongst the community and developing and strengthening relationships amongst emergency response organisations. She is an excellent leader and mentor (especially to women) who works tirelessly to support her volunteers and the SES.

Chris EagleAWE Recognition Award for Advancing Gender Equity & Mentoring (Advancing Gender Equity)

Chris is well known for his outstanding leadership, advocacy, and long-standing support of women in the emergency sector. Through his commitment to the Girls on Fire program and AWE, he has created opportunities, inspired others, and championed inclusion, making a lasting impact across CFA and the emergency sector.

Research, Policy, & Practice

Knowledge Development and Advancement: For an individual who has contributed to the development and advancement of knowledge in emergency management and disaster resilience.

Research, Policy, and Practice: For an individual whose work has bridged research, policy, and practical application in emergency management and disaster resilience.

Claire LeppoldAWE OUTSTANDING Recognition Award for Research, Policy, and Practice (Knowledge Development and Advancement)

Claire’s outstanding work is shaping how Australia responds to the increasing threat of compound climate disasters, and she inspires others to do the same. For her commitment, impact, and integrity, Claire is a deserving recipient of this award and a vital contributor to Australia’s disaster resilience future.

Brandy AlgerAWE Recognition Award for Research, Policy, and Practice (Research, Policy, & Practice)

Brandy Alger is a dedicated champion of disaster resilience, blending hands-on emergency response with inclusive research. She empowers communities often overlooked in preparedness planning and embodies the AWE values of relationships, trust and diversity. Her work is creating meaningful, lasting change across Aotearoa.

Kate BradyAWE Recognition Award for Research, Policy, and Practice (Research, Policy, & Practice)

Dr Kate Brady is a disaster recovery researcher who has made outstanding contributions to the field, ensuring that knowledge can be transferred and used by those who need it. She is a talented communicator, connecting researchers, practitioners, policymakers and community members, to ensure we can all reach better outcomes together.

Volunteering & Community Engagement

Volunteer Service: For a volunteer whose service has made a committed contribution to local emergency management and disaster resilience efforts.

Volunteering Leadership: For a volunteer/individual who has made an important contribution to leadership within volunteering.

Promoting Wellbeing and Resilience in Volunteering: For a volunteer who has made an important contribution to promoting wellbeing and resilience in volunteering.

Peta BirchAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Volunteer Service)

Peta’s commitment to improving the knowledge, skills and experience of her fellow volunteers, in order to create a more capable and responsive organisation is commendable. She takes pride in providing positive training and operational experiences for a diverse group of volunteers and does so professionally and consistently.

Bridget KeransAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Volunteer Service)

Bridget is a committed, capable and enthusiastic member of the somewhat isolated Magnetic Island SES Group, who rely on each other to respond to emergency and disaster situations when their island becomes isolated. Bridget is passionate and dedicated to upskilling and empowering her peers to achieve their full potential.

Kerry McFarlaneAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Volunteer Service)

Kerry McFarlane has demonstrated outstanding service as a dedicated Red Cross Emergency Services volunteer. Her contributions span roles as trainer, interstate deployee, team leader during activations, and Operations Officer within Incident Management Teams. Kerry’s leadership, professionalism, and commitment to supporting both her teams and affected communities reflect the highest values.

Alison MacleanAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Volunteer Service)

Alison is an exemplary volunteer who repeatedly demonstrates that she’s invested in achieving the best outcomes for the community, the organisations she works and volunteers with, and her peers. She is professional, compassionate and considerate in all her interactions with fellow volunteers, staff and the community she serves.

Sharon McKinna-JonesAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Volunteering Leadership)

Sharon’s leadership and dedication to the Bluewater Group and SES are outstanding. She fosters strong relationships and support networks, achieving the best outcomes for her team and community. An unsung hero, her commitment and reliability make her an essential community figure and an inspiring role model in emergency services.

Charlotte MorrisonAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Volunteering Leadership)

Charlotte Morrison is a passionate and hands-on leader in the Brisbane City State Emergency Service Unit, driving member training, stepping up in leadership roles, and inspiring others through her dedication to volunteering, community resilience, and advocacy—making her a truly deserving nominee for the AWE Recognition Awards.

Doris WestwoodAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Volunteering Leadership)

Dori is an inspirational leader (Qld State Emergency Service – Townsville Unit) who sets an incredible example for all those who know and work with her. She leads by example and is passionate about learning and development opportunities for others, especially in relation to mentoring. Dori works hard to build positive relationships for the benefit of everyone.

Sarah Steinegg-DownsAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Promoting Wellbeing and Resilience in Volunteering)

Sarah is committed to building resilient communities, strengthening the organisations that support our communities, and development and support of others in the fire and emergency services. She is committed to continual learning and self-development in disaster and emergency management fields and education of her local community.

Jen WerbeloffAWE Recognition Award for Volunteering & Community Engagement (Promoting Wellbeing and Resilience in Volunteering)

As a constant, steady, reliable volunteer member of the State Emergency Services and Rural Fire services Jen is known by those she interacts with, for her competence, skills, consideration and compassion. Jen is committed to helping build strong relationships and cohesive teams within the organisation, especially as it relates to promoting and improving personal resilience and mental wellbeing.