AWE Newsletter April 2026 |
| AWE is a growing movement of women leading and transforming emergency management. Help us raise $10,000 to continue our work. |
| Every dollar counts so donate today! |
AWE News |
| In brief: AWE at the AGEC National Forum 2026 |
|
| Although Australia has good research and policy goals, change is being held back by gaps between policy and practice, as well as increasing political and social resistance. The forum highlighted ongoing causes of the gender pay gap, housing and financial insecurity – especially for older women – and domestic violence linked to current policy settings. It also raised new concerns about online safety and emergency responses. For AWE, the forum reinforced the need to focus on targeted advocacy that supports national reforms, while continuing to lead and work closely with others across the sector. |
|
|
| Gender equality progress — and why it matters in emergencies |
| The Status of Women Report Card 2026 shows that Australian women are participating in the workforce at record levels, alongside gains in leadership, education and healthcare. Australia has also achieved its highest‑ever international ranking for gender equality, placing 13th globally.However, the report also highlights persistent challenges. Women continue to carry most unpaid care responsibilities, experience high rates of intimate partner violence, and earn less than men, with progress described as uneven and too slow in key areas. |
| From an emergencies lens, these inequalities become most visible during crises. Care burdens, safety risks and economic insecurity directly affect who can respond, lead and recover when disasters strike. Check out our blog for more about why gender equality matters in emergencies. |
|
|
| Rising Tides webinar recap |
|
|
|
| Scholarships update |
|
| If you missed out this time, there’s more to come. Rounds 2 and 3 of the Foundations in Disaster Recovery Scholarship will open later this year, alongside the much‑anticipated Person‑Centred Emergency Preparedness Scholarships. We’ve also got a new scholarship coming soon just for New Zealand members! Keep an eye on the AWE Newsletter for announcements and application details. |
| We’re also delighted to announce the return of the Philippa Woolf Scholarships. This year, 14 AWE members will have the opportunity to undertake a nationally accredited unit focused on building strong, effective teams. Scroll down to learn more about this exciting opportunity. |
|
|
| Women in Rescue 2026 |
|
| In March, more than 300 female and gender-diverse volunteers gathered across Victoria for Women in Rescue 2026, a flagship Victoria SES initiative focused on building skills, leadership and inclusion within emergency services. Now in its ninth year, the event provided hands-on rescue training in a safe, collaborative environment, including an innovative overnight component. Designed by volunteers, for volunteers, Women in Rescue adapts training to suit different strengths and capabilities while creating valuable opportunities for leadership development and mentoring. By fostering strong networks and empowering participants to share knowledge and expertise, the initiative continues to strengthen operational capacity while promoting greater inclusion and representation across the volunteer workforce. Visit Women in Rescue for more information. Pictures courtesy Victoria SES . |
|
|
| Auslan Day: Accessible communication saves lives |
|
| AWE recognises that Auslan is the preferred language for many Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing people across Australia. This Auslan Day we proudly acknowledge and thank all Auslan interpreters who play a vital role in making sure emergency messages reach everyone in our communities. Picture courtesy Emergency Management Victoria. |
| AWE Mentoring Program |
| AWE Mentoring Program 2026 – Off to a strong start! |
| The 2026 AWE Mentoring Program is officially underway, with strong interest from across the network. Entries have now closed, and it’s been fantastic to see the level of engagement from members across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. |
| We kicked things off with our round-robin introduction session, bringing together over 30 participants. The session created a great energy from the outset, with fast-paced conversations, shared experiences, and plenty of connection. It was a valuable opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet, learn about each other’s journeys, and start thinking about what they want to gain from the program. |
| Now, the mentoring team is in the process of matching mentees with mentors, based on preferences and insights from the session. Once matches are confirmed, pairs will begin their first conversations in April, setting goals and building the foundations for a strong mentoring relationship. |
 |
| Mentoring is a powerful way to support women in emergency management. It creates space to share experiences, recognise strengths, and grow capability in a supportive environment. Whether it’s building confidence, navigating career pathways, or developing new skills, mentoring helps turn individual insight into collective strength. At its core, this program reflects what AWE is all about, promoting, supporting and recognising women in emergency management, while strengthening relationships and creating opportunities to learn from each other. When women support each other, we don’t just grow individually, we strengthen the whole sector. By sharing knowledge, backing each other, and creating space for honest conversations, we build a more capable, connected and resilient emergency management community. |
| We’re looking forward to seeing these mentoring relationships develop over the coming months, and to hearing the stories, learnings and successes that come from them. |
| AWE Scholarships |
| The Philippa Woolf Scholarships, proudly supported by ACIM Solutions |
| since 2020, are back! |
| This year, 14 AWE members will have the opportunity to study Lead, Manage and Develop Teams, a nationally recognised unit creditable towards the Certificate IV of Public Safety (Leadership) or the Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management). |
| The 2026 Philippa Woolf Scholarships are designed for women who are younger, newer to leadership roles, and/or in volunteer positions, with representation sought from across Australian states and territories. |
| Study will take place online in June 2026 as a cohort, giving you the chance to build networks and peer-to-peer relationships with others across the emergencies sector. |
| You must be an AWE member to apply, but membership is free and you can join at any time. |
| Applications are now open and close 30 April. Apply now to grow your leadership skills! |
| Apply today! |
 |
| Women in the Sector |
| Women in the sector showcases the diversity, skills, and experience of women in the vast range of paid and volunteer roles that make up the emergency and disaster resilience sector.
This year we’re featuring the recipients of the 2025 AWE Recognition Awards. |
|
Connie Bollen has made an enduring contribution to New Zealand’s emergency management through her leadership in planning, policy, and Māori engagement. As co-lead of the National Catastrophic Planning Handbook, she guided complex cross-agency work to deliver high-quality outcomes. She has refreshed NEMA’s Group Plan review process, personally reviewing every CDEM Group Plan since 2022, and contributed to the new Emergency Management Bill. A strong advocate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Connie ensures Māori perspectives are embedded in policy and planning while mentoring peers and building capability. Respected for her humility, integrity, and excellence, Connie exemplifies inclusive, strategic leadership. Connie received a 2025 AWE Policy, Planning and Capability Development Award in recognition of her contribution to the sector.
AWE Australia |
AWE Gippsland is designed to connect people working in emergency management, share practical experience, and strengthen capability across the region. All genders, all roles, all experience levels welcome! Join us for our launch on Wednesday 29 April 2026 at the Morwell Innovation Centre. Coffee and breakfast will be provided with thanks to the Combined Gippsland Essential Industries Group. For all queries, please contact Narelle at [email protected] Registration is requested for catering purposes – please book here. AWE CBD Melbourne breakfast catch-up 8.00am Tuesday 7 April Brunetti Oro on Flinders Lane, 250 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Pop the date in your calendar so you don’t forget! Connect with other AWE Network members for a relaxed coffee/ breakfast. Upcoming breakfasts will be held on the first Tuesday of June, August, October in 2026. Please email us if you’d like to connect! Details and more dates here AWE Port Melbourne catch-up 8.30am Monday 25 May Rock, Paper, Scissors, 36/138 Rouse St, Port Melbourne 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.
|
| Do you want to connect with others in the sector? Are you keen to deliver a local event or like the idea of starting up a local AWE Branch? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll help you get started! |
AWE New Zealand |
AWE Christchurch’s first catch‑up: A brilliant beginning!
It was a wonderful reminder of the strength of our network and the value of creating space to connect locally — and a strong start for AWE in Christchurch. Don’t miss our next event below! AWE NZ Christchurch after work drinks 4.30 to 6.30pm Wednesday 15 April Muy Muy, 44 Welles Street, Christchurch Central City Christchurch AWE members are hosting after work drinks as an opportunity to connect with other women and allies in the emergency space. Come catch up with a cocktail, have great conversations and grow your network! https://events.humanitix.com/awe-christchurch-happy-hour-meetup Tickets are not required but we would appreciate it if you let us know if you are coming to make sure we reserve enough space. See you there! Brandy and Kate
AWE Wellington
Post-work gathering 4.30-6pm Tuesday 21 April D4 on Featherstone, 1/145 Featherstone St, Wellington Come along after work to share good food, drinks and fellow AWE members! Cuppa and catch up at Kaiota 9.30-10.30am Thursday 14 May MFAT Building, 55 Molesworth St, Thorndon, Wellington Join us for a catch up and enjoy a lively chat and coffee with fellow AWE members. We’d love to know if you’re coming to either of these events so we can ensure there’s enough space: head to our bookings page (https://events.humanitix.com/wellington-2026-catch-ups) or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there!
Do you want to connect with others in the sector? Are you keen to deliver a local event or like the idea of starting up a local AWE Branch? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll help you get started! |
Women in Emergencies for Climate Action |
|
| Every meeting offers new insights and perspectives, drawing on the collective knowledge of AWE members. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding, share your work, or simply connect with like‑minded professionals, we encourage you to join us. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month. Register here or email Amanda for more information. |
Professional Development |
| Build your capability for animals in emergencies |
 |
| The Animals in Emergencies Conference 2026, taking place in Sydney in June, offers an accessible, high‑value professional development opportunity for AWE members and others working in animal welfare, wildlife response, and emergency management. |
| The conference focuses on practical insights and real‑world lessons to strengthen preparedness and emergency response for animals, carers, and communities. Designed for both frontline responders and those involved in planning and support roles, it delivers immediately applicable knowledge. At just $55 in‑person and $25 online, plus live‑streaming and on‑demand recordings, the conference is an affordable opportunity to foster skills, collaboration, and meaningful professional learning. Book your place now. |
Sector News & Resources |
| Accessible communications: Check out this case study which explores the availability of real-time, accessible emergency communication for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people.
Auckland faultlines: Scientists have discovered dozens of previously unknown faultlines under Auckland, with work underway to determine the risk of earthquakes. Climate shelters: This article explores the increasing need for climate shelters – cool, safe public places such as libraries and communities centres where people can escape heat and smoke. Dangers of evacuating late: This article shares the dangers of leaving evacuation late, and includes examples of self-recorded evacuation videos. Emergency management and Close the Gap: This explainer raises awareness of clause 64 in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and its relation to emergency management. Extreme heat and the human body: This article explores what extreme heat does to the body, and what it feels like to take a walk in the kind of heat that will become all too frequent in the very near future. Extreme heat: Three new briefs from Australian Red Cross explore extreme heat and entry points for action, strengthening resilience to extreme heat, and heat stress at work. Farm preparedness: Check out this NZ Farm Checklist for Adverse Event Preparedness, designed to help rural communities prepare for damaging events like severe weather. Family support and first responders: Living Alongside is a new organisation aimed at ensuring that families impacted by a first responder’s workplace psychological injury are recognised, supported, and not left to manage alone. Flood risk and resilience: This journal article explores the inter-relationships between the perceived flood risk and perceived urban flood resilience in Auckland. Fossil fuel companies and disaster costs: A local council is urging the Australian government to force fossil fuel companies, which receive subsidies 14 times greater than Australia’s disaster response fund, to pay for climate disaster recovery. Gendered social capital: This journal article explores the role of gendered social capital in shaping the adaptive capacity of women farmers in New Zealand in response to climate change. Heatwave, crops and native species: This article explores how extreme heatwaves pose a threat to crops and livestock, as well as Australia’s wildlife and ecosystems. Insurance under strain: This article explores how New Zealand’s household insurance provision and affordability are under strain. Newspapers and social memory: This journal article explores the role of newspaper reporting in the social memory of flooding in Queensland. Red Cross survey: If you worked with the Red Cross recovery program between 2022 and 2026 please complete this 10-minute survey to help them understand what worked best and how they can improve and strengthen their work for communities impacted by disasters. Student Volunteer Army: This video explains how New Zealand’s Student Volunteer Army was started and how it is still working today. Women paramedics: Women paramedics working in Victoria are invited to participate in anonymous research interview about experiences of gendered workplace discrimination for a new research project. Contact Isobel at the University of Melbourne for more information. World Disasters Report: This report examines how harmful information impacts responses to disasters, public health emergencies, migration and conflict, and provides evidence and a roadmap for action.
|
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
The Australasian Women in Emergencies Network (AWE) promotes, supports and recognises the contributions of women in emergency management and disaster resilience Visit www.awenetwork.org.au. Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube and Instagram 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 2500 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]. |