AWE Newsletter - August 2021

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

AWE Newsletter – August 2021

Welcome to the August 2021 AWE Newsletter

COVID-19 continues to place extraordinary demand on women in emergencies – in our workplaces, homes and communities – right across Australia, and beyond. We continue to work tirelessly on the frontline in health and behind the scenes in emergency management. We volunteer and work to support vulnerable communities. And we face additional responsibilities at home. While it can be hard, it’s important to look after ourselves. Check out these resources to help get you through these tough times:

Australian Red Cross’ Tips for staying happy and hopeful during lockdown
Black Dog Institute’s Your personal mental health check-in for lockdown
Beyond Blue’s Supporting personal wellbeing
Reach Out’s Coping during coronavirus (COVID-19)
1800RESPECT for 24 hour confidential information, counselling and support services

Don’t forget that networks like AWE are here to help keep people connected and in touch. Come along to one of our online or face-to-face events where you can meet other women in emergencies and share experiences and support.

Looking after ourselves means we can continue the important work we are doing to help our communities face, cope with and ultimately recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

AWE News

We need your help!
AWE’s success has been built on the contribution of of our hard-working volunteers. And now, we need your help.

As AWE continues to grow, we need more people to contribute to our success. We have a number of vacancies including committee members, chapter leads and other roles. We are keen for new people to join our small team to hear new ideas, thoughts and feedback, and to help deliver AWE’s activities.

There are currently two vacancies on the AWE Committee that need filling immediately:

Membership Lead (responsible for managing member recruitment, retention, database management, and member surveys)
Events Lead (responsible for managing a range of events for AWE members in collaboration with the Committee, Chapter Leads and others).

The AWE Committee meets monthly. In addition to this all Committee members contribute a number of hours each week to help deliver AWE’s activities. If you are interested in either of the above roles please contact us at [email protected].

We also have a number of other opportunities including:

Chapter Leads (Victoria and NT – responsible for coordinating events, contributing to the newsletter, liaising with the Committee and appointing a Chapter Committee as required)
Specialist Support – web design/IT/CRM (responsible for enhancing AWE’s IT and CRM systems)
Events Subcommittee (supporting the Committee and Events Lead to deliver a comprehensive program of events)
Awards Subcommittee (supporting the Committee in developing an annual AWE Awards program)

If you have skills and experience in any of the areas above, and a few hours to spare each month, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at [email protected]

Please note that all AWE roles are voluntary. While each role is very hands on and requires time and input from members, we also aim to be flexible to allow for work, family and other commitments. Please contact us for more information.

AWE Inspiring

Jessica Meilak

Jessica Meilak, Brigade Secretary and Volunteer Firefighter with Country Fire Authority,
State Operations Secretariat with
Emergency Management Victoria and
proud AWE member.

Jessica Meilak began her career in emergency management through a Victorian Youth Employment Scheme, contributing to recovery efforts after the Victorian Alpine and Canberra fires in 2002-03. Jessica has since been involved in nearly every significant emergency to impact Victoria including support for Victorian families impacted by the 2002 Bali Bombings and 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, the emergency management arrangements for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the 2010-11 Floods, summer emergency seasons from 2012–2020, and Executive Support for the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre in response to COVID-19.

While Jess was nervous to join the local fire brigade, she became inspired to understand the fire terminology and what occurs at the “grass roots” while working at the State level. She has been involved with the brigade since 2013, Brigade Secretary since 2015 and also held the role of the first women Lieutenant in the history of the brigade from 2018-19.

Jess has loved the emergency management sector from the moment she started, especially the team environment and helping people in their time of need. Her advice to other women looking to get involved in emergency management? “Just do it! I love it!”

Jess, we think you are AWE Inspiring!

AWE Events

AWE events are a great way to learn about and get to know other women in the emergency management and disaster resilience sectors. Keep an eye on our calendar of events to find an AWE event you’d like to attend.

COVID restrictions across Australia, and between Australia and New Zealand, continue to disrupt our efforts to organise face to face events. Our plans for networking opportunities as part of national and international conferences also continue to be affected. We still hope to hold events in early September and in October – around the ANZDMC, EMC and AFAC/AIDR conferences. Stay tuned in upcoming newsletters and keep an eye out for emails.

We encourage members who can get together to still catch up informally (and safely). We’d love to see your pictures of any group, large or small, who get together!

August AWEsome Conversation

Tammy Myles, Executive Director Community Recovery,
Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy

Join Tammy Myles, a senior emergency management professional with more than 20 years’ experience in the human services industry, as she chats with AWE QLD Chapter Co-lead Jaimee Morgenbesser.

Tammy has over 17 years of experience in delivering, supporting and/or coordinating human and social recovery services at either a regional or state level, including responses to natural disasters such as significant floods, cyclones and severe storms as well as biosecurity outbreaks, extreme acts of violence and supporting Australians returning from international incidents.

Thursday 19 August 5-6pm AEST

Book now

Past events

Don’t forget you can watch all our past Conversations – check our webpage for more details.

AWE Mentoring Update

Ever thought about being a mentor?
We have many fabulous women signed up for the mentoring program looking for a suitable mentor. You might have extensive experience in the emergency management sector, have academic qualifications or have specific skills or knowledge you would love to share with someone else!

Explore the AWE mentoring page or reach out to Lisa Marie Jackson at [email protected].

AWE Chapter Updates

AWE ACT

One of my great joys is to escape from my house and family by taking the dog for a walk and listening to interesting podcasts. Here are a few that I’ve found recently that showcase the work of some amazing women – some from the emergency sector, but all touching on that world:

Life with Fire hosted by US writer and former wildland firefighter Amanda Monthei, who interviews a wide range of experts such as Annie Schmidt from the Fire-Adapted Communities Learning Network about how people can learn to coexist with fire.
On The Line features the fascinating doctoral research of firefighter Patty O’Brien exploring the mental and behavourial health of US wildland firefighters.
Conversations Over a Cuppa, is run by social ecologist and river restoration expert Dr Siwan Lovett. There are some lovely episodes, such as Take Care to Give Care about wildlife carers, as well as Why is Thinking About the Future so Hard? featuring guest speaker Associate Professor Lorrae van Kerkhoff.
And a real highlight to finish on, Politics Done Differently hosted by AWE member Caterina Sullivan who chats with politicians from all levels of government – the most recent episode features ACT Opposition Leader Ms Elizabeth Lee MLA talking about encouraging women of colour to take on leadership roles.

Email AWE ACT Chapter Lead Zoe D’Arcy for more information

AWE QLD

Expressions of interest for AWE QLD Chapter Committee members: We’ve had a number of generous QLD members express an interest in supporting AWE QLD’s ongoing coordination, strategy and operations, and work is underway in bringing all these great minds together. However, it’s not too late to have your say! If you are interested in supporting and have some ideas to share and forgot to email, please feel free to reach out by emailing Jaimee Morgenbesser.

QLD Recovery Superstar, Tammy Myles: Tammy Myles is the Executive Director Community Recovery, Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy. AWE QLD invites you to join our conversation where we will discuss women in leadership, navigating challenges across the disaster recovery space and well-being and self-care. Register now!

Virtual Coffee/Tea Catch Ups – Register your interest: We encourage members to ensure their contact details are up to date! We are looking at holding virtual coffee/tea catch ups across QLD to connect with likeminded people and want to make sure we have the correct contact. If you’re interested in participating and joining a coffee catch up group, please email AWE QLD Chapter Co-Lead Jaimee Morgenbesser.

News, events and resources

Gender and disaster conversation: VCOSS will host a Disaster Recovery Conversation: Gender and disaster recovery on Thursday 26 August from 4-5.30pm. Speakers will include representatives from Gender and Disaster Australia, the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, Women with Disabilities Victoria and Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership.
Book now.

NSW RFS research: Calling all current and former serving women NSW RFS staff & volunteers! Student Emily Ryan from The University of Sydney is conducting research into the experiences of NSW RFS women employees and volunteers. Emily is investigating institutional and infrastructural elements within the RFS and how women operate within these. The research will assist in providing data and may inform policy change within the NSW RFS to become more inclusive and diverse. The research, while endorsed and supported by the NSW RFS, is completely independent. All information and identities will be de-identified and kept completely confidential.
To find out more please email Emily Ryan.
Please share this opportunity throughout your RFS networks.

Free trauma-related workshops: Phoenix Australia is providing free 3-hour workshops for managers, staff and volunteers in Victorian bushfire-affected areas to help better support employees, colleagues and community members affected by the recent 2019-20 bushfires. Workshops are being held in Orbost, Bright and Corryong.

Position paper: National Women’s Alliances have released a joint position paper on disaster recovery, planning and management, Disaster Recovery, Planning and Management for Women, their Families, and their Communities in all their Diversity.

New Frontline Mental Health Conference: Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Foundation’s new conference is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of first responders in leadership positions, so that they can actively promote positive mental health within their organisation. Find out more here.

Free webinars: Emergency Media & Public Affairs (EMPA) popular monthly communications webinars are now being offered free to the emergency management community in Australia and New Zealand.
Find out more here.

New report: The Australian Gender Equality Council has launched a new report, Towards Board Gender Parity , which showcases how Australia has now reached 30% of women on boards, making it one of three countries to do so without the imposition of legislated quotas.

Young women’s advisory panel: The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC) is inviting expressions of interest to join the NRWC Young, Rural, Regional Remote Advisory Panel. If you’re aged 18-30 and want to make a difference in rural, regional and remote Australia, apply now.

Job Opportunities

ACT
APS6/EL1 Program Officers (Relief and Recovery) – HorizonOne Recruitment
APS4/5 Program Officers (Relief and Recovery) – HorizonOne Recruitment

NSW
Emergency Manager – UNSW
Disaster Resilience Officer – Byron Shire Council

QLD
Senior Disaster Preparedness Officer – Northern Queensland Primary Health Network
Lifesaving Services Coordinator – Sunshine Coast – Surf Life Saving Queensland

SA
Youth Resilience Project Officer – Australian Red Cross
Community Development Project Officers – CALD Communities – various locations – Australian Red Cross

TAS
Community Flood and Storm Resilience Coordinator – Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management

WA
Community Safety Emergency Management Officer – City of Bunbury
Bushfire Risk Planning Coordinator – Shire of Dardanup

VIC
Regional Officer Emergency Management – SES
Network Manager – Bushfire Resilience Program – Monash University

NZ
Senior Advisor Emergency Management – Porirua City Council

Other Events

September 2-3 2021 Disaster and Emergency Management Conference – ANZDMC

October 4-5 Emergency Management Conference 2021 – ESF

October 5-8 AFAC21 powered by INTERSCHUTZ – AFAC

October 6-7 Australian Disaster Resilience Conference 2021 – AIDR

October 10 Australasian Women in Emergencies Day – AWE

October 13 2021 WA Emergency Management Conference – Shire of Dardanup

Newsletter contributions

The AWE Newsletter is published monthly and is distributed to more than 1500 AWE members across Australasia. For contributions, queries or to let us know what you would like to see in the newsletter, please email us at [email protected].

About AWE

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

www.awenetwork.org.au
[email protected]

To become an AWE member, please click here.
AWE badges are available from our shop.

AWE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, and pays our respect to Elders, past, present and emerging.