President’s Update

Welcome to the February 2020 AWE newsletter!

The devastating, long-term bushfires across Australia this summer have taken a significant toll on the lives and livelihoods of countless people and communities, and have decimated our precious landscapes and wildlife. AWE thanks all members who played significant frontline roles in protecting people and properties from bushfire or who supported community members through a range of relief efforts. In particular, AWE acknowledges the extraordinary contribution of those volunteers who gave their time, energy and focus over months.

The bushfires have also placed an unprecedented demand on Australia’s emergency management capacity and capability, and there have been increasing calls for more investment in emergency services, additional support for volunteers, as well as comprehensive planning and action to address the emergencies and disasters we are currently facing and will continue face under a changing climate.

AWE is looking forward to an AWEsome 2020 with lots of new and exciting initiatives throughout the year including scholarships, a mentoring program, and many opportunities to represent women in emergencies in Australia and internationally. AWE was well represented at the recent Climate Emergency Summit in Melbourne and will continue to support calls for action on climate change and contribute to this critical debate.

We’ll also be hosting more events, providing more opportunities to connect and continuing to build our AWEsome network.

There are lots of ways you can be involved in AWE. Contact your chapter lead for ideas and to make suggestions.

We’d love to hear from you about what you would like from AWE or what you can do for AWE! Email us at [email protected].

Philippa Woolf Scholarships 2020 – Exclusively for AWE Members!!!

Signs of Emergencies: Recognising Our Silent Heroes

The recent bushfires happening all over Australia has put everyone at risk and
NSW was no exception. However, it was for the NSW Deaf Community. As Deaf Community generally face barriers in accessing to emergency information, a group of AWE ladies from the NSW Chapter were determined to make sure that deaf and hard of hearing people are prepared and well informed for this bushfire season. In November 2019, there were three Emergency Preparedness Workshop designed specifically for deaf and hard of hearing people: one in the Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury region and two in Central Coast.

The Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury region workshop had representatives from SES, RFS, Fire and Rescue NSW, and Australian Red Cross. With four Australian Sign Language (Auslan) interpreters, this workshop was an opportunity for the Deaf Community to learn more on the roles of each emergency services and participate in group activities/discussions related to emergency preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery. On behalf of the local Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury Deaf Community, they would like to recognise and thank an AWE-some lady, Kris Newton from Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN) and her networks for making this event possible!

The two Get Ready workshops in Central Coast hosted by SES in Wyong and Gosford was also a huge success. Four Auslan interpreters were provided for Deaf Community to participate in hands on activities and emergency scenarios by local SES volunteers. As deaf people learn things visually, these hands on activities and demonstrations really helped them gain a better understanding of what and how they need to prepare themselves in flooding, rainy, and storm situations. These events would have not happened without two AWE-some ladies: Renee Fletcher, a SES volunteer who applied and succeeded in getting funds from NRMA to support this and Haley Martin, also a SES volunteer who used her networks within the Deaf Community to promote this event!

All of these workshops had a great turnout, with a total of over 100 Deaf Community members in attendance altogether. One of the major highlights was seeing the strong presence of AWE members in all of those events. From those who organised and volunteered their time (both deaf and hearing), it was also lovely to see many deaf and hard of hearing ladies who are current and future emergency service volunteers that came from all over NSW to support these events!

But that is not all, there’s more! Not only were the workshops successful, but there were also deaf AWE members who took the time to translate emergency information in Australian Sign Language (Auslan) and shared emergency information and videos through social media. For some people, this may not seem like a big deal but for the Deaf Community, these actions were actually lifesaving for many deaf people who relies on Auslan and social media for accessing emergency information. On behalf of the NSW Deaf Community, the access to emergency information in Auslan is very much appreciated!
For these silent heroes, let’s recognise these AWE-some ladies for their efforts in making all these activities and support for the NSW Deaf Community possible: Christine Field, Donna White, Haley Martin, Kristen Bolton, Kris Newton, Leilani Craig, Leonie Slade, Margaret Imrie, Mimi Gardiner, Nadine Carey, Renee Fletcher, and Tracey Clissold. Well done, ladies!!

The theme for International Women’s Day 2020 is #EachforEqual #IWD2020

Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.

Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.

Equality is not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue.
Gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive.
A gender equal world can be healthier, wealthier and more harmonious – so what’s not great about that?

The IWD 2020 campaign theme is drawn from a notion of ‘Collective Individualism.’

We are all parts of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, behaviours and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society.

Collectively, we can make change happen. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender equal world.

The 2020 #EachforEqual campaign runs all year long. It doesn’t end on International Women’s Day. The campaign theme provides a unified direction to guide and galvanize continuous collective action, with #EachforEqual activity reinforced and amplified all year.

To find an event in your city click here https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EventSearch

Sometimes referred to as the ‘Bushfires Royal Commission’, the Commission will examine coordination, preparedness for, response to and recovery from disasters as well as improving resilience and adapting to changing climatic conditions and mitigating the impact of natural disasters. The inquiry will also consider the legal framework for Commonwealth involvement in responding to national emergencies.

If you have questions about this Royal Commission including the submission process https://naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au/about/contact

National Bushfire Recovery Agency 
https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/
On 6 January 2020, the National Bushfire Recovery Agency (the Agency) was established by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, to lead and coordinate a national response to rebuilding communities affected by bushfires across large parts of Australia. Focused on connecting people, communities, primary producers and businesses with the services and assistance they may need to rebuild and recover to support the recovery of all Australians.
The Agency is led by Mr Andrew Colvin, APM, OAM, former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, who will report to the Prime Minister through the Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud MP.

The Agency is responsible for administering a National Bushfire Recovery Fund which is supporting recovery efforts across Australia over the next two years. An initial $2 billion has been allocated to this fund, which is in addition to other services and support available under existing natural disaster support mechanisms.

Immediate priorities include:

• primary producer grants for immediate and urgent recovery needs
• additional support for small business
• grants to bushfire affected Local Government Areas
• a mental health package for first responders and communities
• support to attract tourists back to the regions
• infrastructure projects to support economic, community and industry recovery and resilience, and
• support for the environment and native wildlife.

Over 100 presenters appeared at the sold out 2020 National Climate Emergency Summit in Melbourne in February. The summit saw the coming together of citizens, practitioners, advocates, governments, youth leaders and industry innovators to unpack what a climate emergency response could look like at local, national, and global levels.

To review the program – https://www.climateemergencysummit.org/full-program/
To view recordings and podcasts – https://www.climateemergencysummit.org/recordings/

The Climate Emergency Declaration initiated at the National Climate Emergency Summit 2020 calls for a new approach to climate action in Australia, a response to match the scale of the threat as climate-warming impacts escalate across Australia and around the world.

The Declaration calls on our elected leaders to declare a climate emergency and initiate a society-wide mobilisation. For more information on the declaration climateemergencydeclaration.org

For more information and to support the petition https://climateactnow.com.au/

Preparing Vulnerable People is a multi-stakeholder project that aims to improve how bushfire preparedness plans/emergency plans are developed and acted on for those who are at greatest risk. Led by CFA, it will build on the existing Fire Ready for Community Care Providers program. To help inform the project, CFA wants to understand how widely bushfire planning is undertaken throughout the community and social services sector. Community organisations are encouraged to complete a short survey on bushfire planning with clients who live at home.

Completing the 10 question survey should only take 5 minutes.  The data obtained will inform CFA’s decision making in relation to improving bushfire safety for those at greatest risk. For queries please contact Angela Cook at CFA.

AWE members are invited to this free forum which will bring together 500 women from across Victoria’s emergency services sector to put a gender lens on mental health and wellbeing as we celebrate International Women’s Day 2020.

Sunday 8 March 1:45pm for 2pm start – 4.30pm
Olympic Park Rooms
AAMI Park
Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne

This is a unique opportunity to hear from special guest speakers The Hon. Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, Johanna Griggs and Carol Fox.

Registration is essential as seating is strictly limited. There is no cost to participate. Refreshments will be served. Dress code is smart casual.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE FORUM

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2020, AWE has partnered with two other leading key women led humanitarian and emergency focussed organisations  to present a unique opportunity to hear from founders of these organisations who connect thousands of women working in the disaster and emergency response in Australia, in our region and around the world.
The discussion, with representatives from Humanitarian Women’s Network, Australasian Women in Emergencies Network and Humanitarian Advisory Group, will focus on unpacking the commonalities and differences that enables women to do great emergency response, safely.

What: Interactive panel discussion
Where: Blue Room, Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
When: 10.00-12.00, Friday March 13th

To register click herehttps://events.humanitix.com/women-in-emergencies or contact [email protected] or Amanda Lamont on 0407 696 300.

Watch this space for more information about an AWE event in late April for WPI students to present their findings

March 11th Blue Mountains Meeting
Courtesy of Kris Newton and Anne Crestani – 2pm – 4:30pm in Lawson

Anne Crestani and Kris Newton will lead a round table open discussion for all members to discuss the topic: “The disconnect in the rhetoric around the pivotal role of place based community organisations in supporting their communities to prepare for and recover from disaster events and the resourcing of this role. There is no resourcing at either the state or federal agency levels. How do we move beyond rhetoric towards integrating local community services as an integral part of emergency and disaster management responses?”

Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in attending as we need to ascertain numbers as soon as possible. I will send a formal invite once I receive your email of interest.

IWD Breakfast 3 March (7am to 9am)
Six same table tickets are still available for this event. Please contact  [email protected] or 0429801231 ASAP if you wish to attend and Alessia can organise tickets for you (and friends!). Should you be attending the event with other groups, please join at the Brisbane Convention Centre for an after breakfast AWE get together.

Casual drinks 30th March
A casual get together in Brisbane is being organised on 30 March from 6pm to 9pm at Brewski Bar on Caxton St. Please reach out to Alessia at [email protected] or 0429801231 to suggest a topic and arrange numbers. A separate email will also be circulated in this regard.

It would be great if we had at least two regional events to promote around Australia and New Zealand for our next newsletter. Will it be yours?

Other Events

The theme for International Women’s Day 2020 is #EachforEqual #IWD2020

AWE is organising events around the country to celebrate IWD. If you haven’t already signed up to an event, you can organise your own AWE event in your area. Let us know and we can publicise for you.

We hope our members will gather in locations outside of the capital cities as well so we are able to include as many as possible in our networking and celebrations. Please get in touch with your chapter lead if you are interested in hosting or attending an event in your local area.

For details about AWE events to celebrate please see the AWE Events section above.

To find an event in your city click here https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EventSearch

Here are some other events you might be interested in:

UN Women Breakfast
UN Women will mark IWD in 2020 with the theme Generation Equality. Generation Equality is a call to action to join forces across generations, to create a new vision where every girl and woman everywhere has equal opportunities to lead, to learn, to earn a decent living and to live lives free from violence and discrimination.

Melbourne – 3rd March
Brisbane – 3rd March
Perth – 4th March
Canberra – 5th March
Sydney – 6th March
Adelaide – 6th March

For more details: https://unwomen.org.au/international-womens-day/events/

2020 IML ANZ International Women’s Day Great Debate – Melbourne – 6 March Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
events.managersandleaders.com.au
The International Women’s Day 2020 Great Debate is in Melbourne! Join the Institute of Managers and Leaders in celebrating women’s rights, gender equality and feminism. 3 cities, 3 popular MCs, 1 controversial topic. Join us in Melbourne to celebrate International Women’s Day 2020 and to debate the topic, the world won’t listen unless women shout!

Rotary International Women’s Day Breakfast 2020 – Thursday 5 March 
At 7pm – 9pm
The Palladium
www.rotaryiwdbreakfast.org.au

The MCG will play host to an historic moment when the World Cup Final takes place on International Women’s Day, Sunday 8 March. Led by international pop star Katy Perry and the best cricketers in the world, the final will attempt to break the record for highest attendance at a women’s sporting event. For more information, visit the event website. 

ESF are celebrating International Women’s Day this year at the T20 Women’s World Cup Cricket Final at the MCG (Sunday, March 8). There’s going to be a special tribute to women in the emergency services sector! It would be great to have any AWE members join their colleagues in a dedicated area on the day. It’s going to be spine-tinglingly awesome. Info and link for tix here.

Join an important panel discussion on how we can protect the environment and women’s rights by using the financial power we have now. Hear from Amelia Telford (national director of Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network); Christina Hobbs (CEO of Verve Super, Australia’s first super fund for women); and Petra Stock (program manager at ClimateWorks); moderated by Santilla Chingaipe (journalist, filmmaker and co-host of Money Power Freedom podcast).

Book now Tickets are $25 each ($20 concession) and every ticket directly supports Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network and the Victorian Women’s Trust.

The Transitions Film Festival has been inspiring audiences and powering social change since 2012, hosting festivals in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Darwin and facilitating screenings in Alice- Springs, Hobart and across Australia.

Melbourne Program 2020 https://www.transitionsfilmfestival.com/melbourne-program-2020/

National Art Event – Know My Name – February, March and April
Know My Name is an initiative of the National Gallery of Australia to celebrate the significant contributions of Australian women artists. The National Gallery acknowledges that only 25% of the Australian art collection is by women. Know My Name is also an invitation to the cultural sector and to communities more broadly, to recognise and highlight the work of women across diverse creative practices.

Celebrate Australian women artists – see their art, hear their stories and know their names.
For six weeks more than 1300 static and digital locations across metro and regional Australia will feature images of works of art by Australian women form the national collection, reaching more than twelve million Australians.

For more details: https://nga.gov.au/knowmyname/artevent.cfm

The National Police, Defence and Emergency Services Women’s Leadership Summit – 27^th March – Canberra
The National Police, Defence and Emergency Services Leadership Summit is a major annual event for women at all levels to connect, share ideas and build their leadership skills. Created by Australia’s leading authority on women’s leadership, Women & Leadership Australia, the Summit is supported by a wide range of departments, organisations and stakeholders throughout the police, defence and emergency services sectors.
http://www.wla.edu.au/pdes-2020.html

Below are some of the emergency and disaster related conferences and events in 2020.

Emergency Management Conference 7 – 8 July
The Emergency Services Foundation has for 20 years hosted a popular annual conference for people working to deliver Victoria’s emergency management arrangements. Organised by a multi-agency committee with assistance from High Profile Events, the 2020 conference will take place on 7 & 8 July at the Pullman Hotel. The conference attracts on average 400 people with an impressive line-up of international and local speakers.
The 2020 theme Evolution or Revolution will explore how, over the last 20 years, the emergency management sector has changed and ask , ‘Are we satisfied with our progress or are we going around in circles?’
Find out more about the conference program here.

Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction – 29 June to 2 July
The 2020 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) will be convened by  the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and hosted by the Australian Government in Brisbane, Australia. The theme for the conference is ‘Making a change: Accelerating the transformation to risk-informed development. Enabling local and inclusive disaster resilience.’
https://www.unisdr.org/conference/2020/apmcdrr/home

Australia New Zealand Disaster and Emergency Management Conference (ANZDEMC)
1-2 June, 2020 – Gold Coast
2020 Theme – Leadership, Communication and Community Engagement

Women and Firefighting Australasia 2020 Conference – 25-28 August – Adelaide
Call for abstracts commences early 2020

AFAC 20 – 25-28 August – – Adelaide
Connecting communities. Creating resilience.
Abstracts close 28 February 2020

Australian Disaster Resilience Conference 2020 – 26-27 August – Adelaide
Disaster risk reduction in action: pathways to impact
Abstracts close 28 February 2020

2020 Floodplain Management Australia National Conference Program
The 2020 FMA National Conference Program is now available! Please find attached or click here to download. Register prior to Friday 20th March 2020 to receive the discounted Early Registration Rate. To register via secure online registration, please click here.

If there are other events you are attending, please let us know so we can let other members know about them. It would be great to have an AWE presence at these events, including side events, members wearing their AWE badges, poster displays, presentations, displays. Please get in touch with the AWE Committee at [email protected] if you would like further information on how to get involved.

One of our regular and extremely helpful members, Anne Pickles, put together a great summary of useful links that are relevant to most of us in this group. Please see below and thank you again Anne for your continuing support and contributions to our NSW chapter.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6636214852836827136/?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A(activity%3A6636034184693579776%2C6636214830963527680)

NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry:

• Request for submissions https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projects-and-initiatives/make-a-submission-to-the-bushfire-inquiry/

• Terms of Reference https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projects-and-initiatives/make-a-submission-to-the-bushfire-inquiry/nsw-independent-bushfire-inquiry-terms-of-reference/, noting that one of the terms of reference covers ‘Public communication and advice systems and strategies’ which relates directly to the issues raised by the deaf community.

Podcast:

• A great ABC Conversations interview with Sean Sweeney talking about his life and the issues around the use of Auslan interpreters during the bushfires: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/sean-sweeney/11871962

Reporting emergencies

• This page of FRNSW’s website https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9209 has information on the services available for the deaf. The RFS has the same information at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/emergency-information. National information here: https://www.triplezero.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx.

Invitation for speaker – NSW Labor Government Policy Conference
One of our lovely members Vivien Thomson has put out a request for a key note speaker to address a Q & A Panel Session: Supporting recovery from the recent bushfires.

They are looking for someone in the recovery field that may be interested in being involved in the preliminary policy developed for NSW Labor. They have a dedicated country party that is called Country Labor, with the conference based in Singleton, 11.30am – 12.15pm Sunday 1 March. Currently the session will be chaired by Trish Doyle MP (opposition spokesperson on emergency management) and then the panel members would include Janelle Saffin MP from Casino and Vivien. As well as being the keynote speaker (10 minutes) to address the conference at the start of the session, you would then participate as part of the panel discussion. These motions will then go up to the state Conference and if approved will become policy for the NSW Labor party.

Resource for our NSW RFS members – Courtesy of Samantha Ford
ICLA has made one of our Sydney spaces available to offer mental health respite for people from bushfire affected regions who would benefit from a 1-2 week respite stay in Sydney. This service is best described as respite or a mental wellbeing intervention, offering non-clinical, peer based support.  It’s open to anyone from a fire affected region, including RFS volunteers – there is no specific criteria around property damage to be eligible for the service.  It is not intended to replace or divert people from local health and community based efforts but simply to be an additional option for people who might benefit from what we can offer and a respite stay outside of the directly impacted fire zones. Referrals can be completed online at https://icla.org.au/wollemi/ or using the attached referral form which can be completed and returned to us via [email protected]

We have had women involved in all aspects of the bushfire response from fighting the fires themselves, providing staging area and logistical support, liaison between agencies and State Emergency Centres to recovery efforts. While devastating, the women I have spoken to have talked of their appreciation in being able to assist and of the incredible co-operative response.

There have been some amazing experiences and pictures that have come from this.  Some have photos similar to those shown in the media of firefighters emerging from dense smoke.  Others have photos of the eerie red sky.

In a South Australian first, the ‘humani-huts’ purchased by the SA Government and received late last year, were put into action in the Kangaroo Island fires.  Those that used the huts described them as ‘luxury’ compared to tents and other temporary accommodation that have been hastily put together in the past.  The humani huts have a small eating/lounge/storage area with bunk accommodation at the back.  They are designed to be used on rotation so that one shift leaves and the other shift enters.

We are all looking forward to our next outer eastern Melbourne network event and we discussed many ideas for themes and locations.

Thanks Sam, Liz, Lisa, Blythe, Fi and Amanda for a great night.

We enjoyed meeting one another and the bar/restaurant proved to be an excellent choice.  The staff were very relaxed about how many of us turned up.  We enjoyed sharing food, wine, Coca-cola and stories.

We talked about recent volunteer deployments across Victoria, we talked about the emergencies of recent months across Australia, we found out about one another roles, and just enjoyed getting to know one another.  I was so inspired that when I got home I registered online to become a Red Cross Volunteer, something I’ve been meaning to do all summer!

We plan to meet up again and everyone in the region will be invited to come along.  We hope to meet up 3-4 times a year, to make the most of getting connected with our local group of AWEsome women!

Thank You Angela!
Victoria Chapter Lead, Angela Draper has taken the tough decision to step down as chapter lead to focus on her work, study and other priorities.  Thanks, Angela, for all your support to the chapter and the network.  We look forward to seeing you around at AWE events in the future.

If you are interested in applying for the role of chapter lead in Victoria, please email [email protected] for a role description and further information.  We have lots of exciting things planned for the network in 2020 so it is a great time to step into the Victorian chapter lead role.

Get ready then… as we plan to launch the AWE Mentoring Program in March.  We are preparing our AWE Website so that interested mentors will provide a photo and a bio, clearly outlining what they can offer to potential mentees.  A gallery of mentors will be created so that we can all find fellow AWE Members who might mentor us.

Many of us can mentor others – I encourage everyone to think about ways in which we can all offer our knowledge, skills and experience through our relationship with other AWE members.  Many of us may also want to learn new skills.  While I might be a mentor in one relationship, I might also want a mentor of my own.  Don’t be shy.  Think about how you might like to contribute as a mentor or a mentee or both!

Watch for more information on our website or in the March Newsletter!

Senior Assurance Analyst – IGEM Vic
The Senior Assurance Analyst contributes to developing and implementing assurance processes to support continuous, effective and sustainable improvement in Victoria’s emergency management sector.
Applications close 1st March
https://www.seek.com.au/job/40975186?type=standard#searchRequestToken=9b0c8a43-3bcc-4d11-9ef1-a700c3a5413b

Victoria Manager – GIVIT
The Victoria Manager is an exciting new role at GIVIT, a fast-growing national not-for-profit connecting those who have with those who need.
Applications close 28/2/2020

Operations Risk Manager – Surf Life Saving Queensland
The Operations Risk Manager will oversee and maintain SLSQ’s risk management systems and ensure its risk and compliance framework complies with current legal and regulatory obligations.
Applications close Sunday 1st of March 2020
Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gCybSE4

Executive Director Infrastructure – Livingstone Shire Council 
As a key member of the Executive Leadership team, you will provide high level strategic direction, overarching management and team leadership across all major activities within the Infrastructure portfolio. Key areas of focus will include transformational management, building a strong customer-centric culture and developing an integrated, collaborative work ethic.
Applications close March 9th
Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gWcfZ3t

Senior Policy Advisor – Climate Action – WORLD VISION
They have high-level analytical and public policy development skills, the ability to persuasively influence internal and external stakeholders based on sound and logical reasoning and can handle media as a spokesperson on issues related to climate change and disaster risk reduction.
Applications close: 13th March
https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/worldvisionjobs/senior-policy-advisor-climate-action

Community Development Project Officer – Australian Red Cross – Adelaide
You will be responsible for supporting Red Cross’ strategic priority of building individual and community resilience to emergency events and disasters.
Applications close 5th March
https://www.seek.com.au/job/41023724?type=standard#searchRequestToken=df1e98e5-8fe8-4b73-826b-eea4548f9988

Recovery Planning Manager – East Gippsland Shire
The Recovery Planning Lead is a key role in assisting East Gippsland Shire Council with recovery activities. Responsible for the planning activities and resourcing across the Bushfire Recovery Directorate.
https://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=cm9iZXJ0LmRhcmJ5LjQwNzIwLjI3NjJAZ2JzcmVjcnVpdG1lbnRhdTIuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t&fbclid=IwAR0ZDL29hhDHfcLrTQmC1LgpDDerqWbwOgLXFeboc3_I1pu40K2WPdyO2BQ

SCHOLARSHIPS

Philippa Woolf Scholarships 2020 – for AWE Members Only
AWE, in partnership with Australian Centre for Investigation, Incident and Management (ACIM) Solutions, are pleased to announce the Philippa Woolf Scholarships 2020.

These two full scholarships are available only to AWE members to study:

• The Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management) PUA50119 (Value $4995)
• The Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management) PUA60119 (Value $6995)

These qualifications are designed to support operational leaders, current or aspiring, who manage others in operational emergency management contexts in the public sector.

Applications for the 2020 Philippa Woolf Scholarships close on 31 March 2020. Successful applicants will be announced in April. Further information, including application details, is available here.

For details about the Diploma or Advanced Diploma please read the AWE Scholarship Information kit available at https://acimsolutions.com.au or for queries about the Scholarships please contact AWE on [email protected].

ESF Emergency Services Foundation Scholarship
The ESF scholarship application window is currently open. ESF’s recently refreshed strategic focus is a dedication to improving mental health and wellbeing within the sector (Victoria). Accordingly, scholarships are now being awarded with this goal in mind. Applications close on March 16 and will be awarded in May. The focus is not limited when you consider the many factors that contribute to workplace stress (in any industry). In 2020, for example, we will specifically look at mental health and wellbeing through a gender lens. I would love for AWE members to be aware of – and apply for – these scholarships. Info on eligibility and how to get more info is available online.

Mary Fran Myers Gender And Disaster Award 2020 Nominees Sought
The Gender and Disaster Network and the Natural Hazards Center invite nominations of women and men, or gender and disaster-focused organizations who should be recognized for their efforts to advance gender-sensitive policy, practice, or research in the areas of disaster risk reduction. The Mary Fran Myers Gender and Disaster Award recognizes disaster professionals who continue Mary Fran Myers’ goal of promoting research on gender issues in disasters and emergency management.
Submit a Nomination Now! Deadline: MARCH 14, 2020

Please contact Cheney Shreve – [email protected] or Maureen Fordham – [email protected]

Homeward Bound
Mother nature needs her daughters. Applications for the 6th cohort #TeamHB6 are opening in just over a week, are you ready to take your place?
For more details: http://homewardboundprojects.com.au

AWE NSW Chapter had the privilege of having Haley Martin present on her journey as a deaf SES volunteer in our last meeting/workshop for 2019. Her presentation talked about her background growing up deaf in the Sydney area, being an AWE-some single mother raising a beautiful daughter, and how the opportunity to start her career as an emergency service volunteer as a Deaf Liaison Officer (DLO) through the Get Ready Deaf Community of NSW project that led her to become an official SES volunteer.

As a SES volunteer, Haley covered some of the challenges and achievements that she and her SES volunteer mates faced together as a team on overcoming the communication barriers. The SES Wyong Unit is a leading example of how supportive and inclusive they were in having Haley be part of their SES team. However, it is also important to note that Haley’s journey with this would have not happened without the wonderful mentor she had and who believed in her. That person is Christine Field, another DLO from Newcastle, NSW and an AWE member as well.

Mentoring plays a valuable role in one’s support system and Christine has done that for Haley, who was up for the challenge to navigate through a new territory in emergency services as a deaf person. It is hoped that this presentation has
provided a model to inspire deaf and hard of hearing ladies that they CAN become emergency service volunteers and mentors as well as for hearing emergency services that it is possible to provide an inclusive space for them in the emergency sector too.

Haley Martin’s video on advertising the SES workshops in Wyong and Gosford in Auslan: https://vimeo.com/378947696?fbclid=IwAR0ddpH5lBG3k_LwaMR-xCsFMwTLpIxIyDNzNA_X43NNscR8M0QN1KLe_5w

Debra is the Operations Coordinator for Australian Red Cross in Tasmania, responsible for the development of emergency planning, procedures, training and exercise management for Red Cross personnel. Debra also has lead operational and stakeholder training responsibility for the national emergency registration and inquiry service in Tasmania and is a member of the national pool of Red Cross endorsed Level 3 Planning Officers deployed to coordinate catastrophic event relief operations.

Debra has decided to step down from her Chapter Lead role to take up the committee position, and will work with us to identify a new Chapter Lead for Tasmania.

Huge thank you to Peta Turner has decided to step down from the AWE Committee. Peta has done a huge amount ofo work on the committee, providing an invaluable contributor to our campaigns and initiatives, and also managing our 2019 member survey and the mentoring program in its early stages.  We are so pleased Peta will continue to be an AWE member and we can continue our strong relationship with her and Western Australia.

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] 

In case you missed it on social media this month:

This is what we know.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6615016705070592000

ACT ESA Commissioner Georgeina Whelan has been recognised with a national leadership award when she was honoured today at the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership 2020. The awards single out those who have inspired other women with their achievements and brought the country a step closer to gender equality in leadership.
https://vervesuper.com.au/verve-academy/blogs/change/australian-bushfires/

Free General Safety and Security Awareness Training course developed by an extremely competent professional in the field Gavriel Shnieder.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6638688444296069120

The cost of climate change on women and girls
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6638632851019522048

A year after Christchurch Jacinda Ardern has the word’s attention. How will she use it?
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6638392851166257152

Power of the Pack: Women who support women are more successful
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6638183552334827520

Inspiration from NASA Astronaut Christina Hammock Koch
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6637961901026447361

Women in the Emergency Services
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6638211096815763456

AWE NZ Chapter Lead runs recovery workshops in Melbourne
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6638184757685510144

A Decade of Gender Equity In Ten Trends
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2020/02/11/a-decade-of-gender-equity-in-ten-trends/#71fe6dbb31ac

Recovery after a bushfire: Lifeline has announced a new dedicated number for bushfire recovery support. The number is 13 HELP (13 43 57) and is available 24-7.
https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/topics/recovering-after-a-natural-disaster

A diverse group of women representing the arts, corporates, disaster recovery and resilience.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6633861964286308352

Mallacoota community recovery group needs a laptop mobile, printer, whiteboard, TV & wall mount, mini fridge…Can you help?
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6633837643190927360

65% of primary school children today will end up in jobs that don’t even exist yet
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6633826952400736256

In Focus: International Day of Women and Girls in Science. UN Women
https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science

More women for the local government. Stand for council in 2020. “The fragile 13” There is only one female Councillor in these 13 local councils across Victoria.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6633256370680500224

How to give amid disasters
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:663293680464965632

Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. Today we’re celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science! https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6632931399693373440

International Day of Women and Girls in Science. – Jemma Cripps Q&A
https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/media-releases/women-and-girls-in-science-wildlife-ecology

Women in Science – UN Women
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6632902395410116608

The cost of good intentions in the Australian bushfires – Perspectives from the international humanitarian sector https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/the-cost-of-good-intentions-in-the-australian-bushfires-perspectives-from-the-international-humanitarian-sector/

There is no strong, resilient Australia without deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions
https://australianbushfiresandclimatechange.com

Stories beyond Stereotypes
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6632142308542377984

Mentor Walks: Our first walk for 2020 kicked off in Melbourne with an amazing turn out of more than 50 women walking and talking.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6631355179893657600

Finland to offer 7 months paid parental leave to all parents under female-led government
https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/finland-to-offer-7-months-paid-parental-leave-to-all-parents-under-female-led-government/

Netflix Premieres “She Did That” Documentary Highlighting Black Women Entrepreneurs https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/culture/netflix-premiers-she-did-that-documentary-highlighting-black-women-entrepreneurs

Supporting each other in disasters – caring for the carers
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6624497976226222080

Resources for supporting yourself and others in disasters
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6622331319231881217

Three young mums on the fire crew
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6621940298593464320’

South East Queensland battered by severe storms, with heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding on the Gold Coast
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-13/south-east-queensland-flood-body-mary-river/11959914?fbclid=IwAR10BM3oad-xKHSZp6pm0e6d61tO_soF3CPkwc7_PigxSWKdwQaPC5Hib2s

The Australasian Women in Emergencies (AWE) Network promotes, supports and develops the contributions of women in emergency management and disaster resilience to help build stronger individuals, communities and organisations. Visit our website to find out more and join.

Thank you to Diana Zapata Rojas for her support in pulling the newsletter together. It is greatly appreciated.
We would love to hear from more of our members, there are many great successes we would love to hear about.