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

 

 

 
 

Welcome to the August 2024 edition of the AWE Newsletter

 

 
 

Click on the links below to get straight to what you want to read:
AWE News
AWE Recognition Awards
Foundations in Disaster Recovery Scholarship
AWE Events
AWE Australian Chapters
AWE New Zealand
AWE Pacific
Women in Emergencies for Climate Action
Professional development
Sector news and resources
Sector job opportunities
Sector events

To open the full newsletter in your browser please click here

 

 
 

AWE News

 

 
 

Get involved in AWE!

We’ve got so many exciting activities currently underway, including:

Make sure you get involved in your network – register for an event, have your say about AWE in our member survey, nominate someone you know for a recognition award, or attend our breakfast and visit our Poster at AFAC24. There’s something for everyone!

Please contact us with any queries, or to discuss other ways you would like to get involved in AWE.

Australian Journal of Emergency Management – special edition

The latest edition of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management focuses on gender, intersectionality, diversity and inclusion. There’s lots to read including an article about AWE – The Australasian Women in Emergencies Network: a catalyst for gender equity and resilience.

Towards the end of 2022 we advertised a survey being conducted by University of New England’s Associate Professor Melissa Parsons about managing menstruation while deployed operationally. Melissa would like to thank everyone who generously responded to the survey with results contributing to the research findings and the article Managing menstruation while deployed operationally.

Other highlights in this edition include articles by some AWEsome women including:

 

Job opportunities at ACIM Solutions 

Due to growing demand for nationally accredited learning programs across Australia, ACIM Solutions, AWE’s partner for the Philippa Woolf Scholarships, is looking for casual contractor trainers and assessors to join their team delivering emergency management courses. These roles involve developing and delivering tailored training programs to groups in face-to-face workshops and virtual classrooms as well as supporting individual students who are studying self-paced and remotely. ACIM offers above award remuneration, flexibility and a great team to work with.

If you have relevant experience in incident management functional roles (operations, planning, logistics, intelligence, public information and incident controllers Level 1 and 2), or relief and recovery management, and have experience delivering training of either face to face and/or online virtual sessions, ACIM would love to talk to you.

Interested and want to know more? As a first step, please send through your resume and ACIM will provide more information and start the conversation! Email ACIM Solutions today.

AWEsome speakers at AFAC24

Check out these amazing women – all AWE members – who will be presenting at AFAC24.
What a lineup!

  • Ruby Awram, Emerging Minds
  • Lucy Bell, Emergency Management Victoria
  • Kate Brady, UNSW
  • Marilee Campbell, Australian Red Cross
  • Liza Gelt, Collaborative Consulting
  • Carla Hall, YACVic

  • Dr Erica Kuligowski, RMIT
  • Cassie Lyndsey, Champion of Change Coalition
  • Fiona MacDonald, Victoria University
  • Melinda McDonald, Fire and Rescue NSW
  • Krystle Mitchell, SA Metropolitan Fire Service
  • Ravathi Krishna, Monash University

  • Ailsa Schofield, NSW SES
  • Dr Briony Towers, Leaderrr
  • Lydia Wardale, Winner NHRA 2023 Disaster Challenge
  • Sumarlina Winoto, Nillumbik Shire Council
  • Dr Celeste Young, Victoria University

If you are attending AFAC24 or ADRC 2024, make sure you come along
to our networking breakfast! Details and booking here. 

Psychosocial safety in the workplace

Last month members were treated to a fantastic session at the joint AWE and AIES online event The psychosocial brain: A neuroscience perspective on psychosocial safety in emergencies and in the workplace. The National Psychosocial Safety Network presented some interesting facts, information and tips about psychosocial safety at work.

Class Act gives a language ‘to talk about how we talk to each other’, and AWE members have access to the presentation recording and slides, as well as exclusive access to Class Act’s resources. Please email Amanda for details. We are planning a follow-up session before the end of the year where we will ask members to anonymously share stories for us to use as case studies to learn language and behaviour tips to improve our psychosocial safety at work.

Many thanks to Chris Miller, longstanding AWE member and AIES President for helping organise this joint event. The recording of the webinar is on the AWE You Tube Channel here.

Intentionality: How to Tackle Confidence Issues 

Last month, Alex Hogg led an amazing talk on being intentional and owning your confidence. Joined by more than 60 women in Wellington and online, Alex kept us engaged and laughing with her personal stories and our own power poses. Thanks to Alex for the fantastic evening and to Debra and Taumata Arowai for being such generous hosts! 

Missed the session? You can now watch it on AWE’s Youtube channel here. 

 

 
 

 

 
 

The 2024 AWE Recognition Awards are now open!
The AWE Recognition Awards are open to women who work, volunteer, study, research, have experience, or are interested in emergencies and disaster resilience across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. This includes women from all sectors involved in emergencies, whether big or small, paid or unpaid, encompassing emergency services, community and not-for-profit organisations, governments and agencies, universities and schools, and the private sector.

The Awards are an opportunity to shine a light on emergency management and disaster resilience to highlight and celebrate the remarkable women we work with. We will formally recognise and honour those who inspire us and make a profound difference in emergency management and disaster resilience across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.

We’re looking for women who contribute across a range of areas including:

  • Planning and preparation
  • Response, relief and recovery
  • Policy and practice
  • Community resilience building
  • Education and training
  • Research
  • Volunteering
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Supporting other women in the sector
  • Supporting women, gender equity and AWE

This year we are including a category to acknowledge the allies of women in the emergency sector. If you know someone who is making an important contribution in one of these areas, meets the selection criteria, and embodies the AWE values, we encourage you to nominate them for an AWE Recognition Award. Full details are available here. 

Award nominations close on Monday 26 August 2024

Award ceremony will be held on Tuesday 1 October 2024

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

The October Foundations in Disaster Recovery Scholarship is now open
   

    

AWE and the University of Melbourne are pleased to offer the final Foundations of Disaster Recovery Scholarship for 2024.

One Scholarship is available to an AWE member for the October course .

The popular University of Melbourne Foundations in Disaster Recovery short course has been specifically designed for practitioners, volunteers and community members who are (or will be) working in post-disaster settings. The course focuses on supporting learners to deepen their understanding of disaster recovery and using evidence-based materials to support practice.

The Scholarship for the October Foundations in Disaster Recovery course is open to all
AWE members regardless of where they live.

Applications are now open and close on 15 August.

For full details, including how to apply, please click here.

We’re on the lookout for more scholarship opportunities for our members. If you or your organisation would like to discuss scholarship ideas with AWE, please email us.

 

 
 

AWE Events

 

 
 

AWE Networking Breakfast Sydney – AFAC/ADRC 2024

Wednesday 4 September
Planar Restaurant, Sydney International Convention Centre

Attending AFAC24 or ADRC 2024, or live or work in Sydney?
Join AWE members, friends and allies working, volunteering or studying in the emergency management and disaster resilience sector over breakfast. Don’t miss this great opportunity to connect with colleagues old and new!

$40 includes tea and coffee, a selection of fruit, and a variety of hot and cold pastries at the Planar restaurant, Sydney International Convention Centre. 

Book today 
 

Women in emergencies: Volunteer spotlight series

Next webinar Thursday 8 August

Hear from response team volunteers spread across the country in the first two “Women in emergencies: Volunteer spotlight” sessions! Inspired by our June event celebrating emergency volunteers throughout New Zealand, we’ll be diving deeper into a different organisation’s amazing women volunteers each fortnight. 

  • Thursday 8 August: NZRTs
  • Thursday 22 August: Taskforce Kiwi
  • Thursday 5 September: FENZ
  • Thursday 19 September: NZRC (TBC)

 Book now

Being, Belonging, Becoming: Women’s wellbeing in floods

12pm AEST Thursday 29 August
Online

Following the widespread flooding events in Victoria in 2022-23, Women’s Health Loddon Mallee (WHLM) undertook a project to understand the experiences of women across 10 LGAs. The resultant Women rising: Empowering flood recovery report includes a new Being, Belonging, Becoming Model which provides a framework for understanding and responding to women’s wellbeing during floods, and a cycle of continuous learning that can be adapted to different disasters, communities, and women.

Join AWE and WHLM to learn more about women’s experiences in floods and the Being, Belonging and Becoming model.

Book now

Final call for EOIs – Overnight camping adventure Queensland!

Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 August

In our sector, we appreciate that the environment around us has an incredible impact on our lives and wellbeing. Following successful camping trips in Victoria and South Australia, AWE QLD is organising an overnight, accessible trip around the Scenic Rim/Lockyer Valley in Queensland.

Our camp will be accessible by car and will have a variety of accommodation styles available (tent, cabin, caravan) with amenities to make the experience easy and enjoyable. There’ll also be options for day activities to keep us entertained while we develop our friendships and get to know others in the sector.

If you’re interested in attending, please register your interest now so we can secure our venue.

 

 
 

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, Missed an AWE event?
Many of our past events are available for viewing on our YouTube page. 

Would your organisation like to host an event with support from AWE? Feel free to email us and we can work with you to facilitate an in-person or virtual opportunity for our members.

 

 
 

AWE Australian Chapters

 

 
 

AWE QLD

Almost 20 colleagues came together from across the country, bright and early on the always stunning Gold Coast before the day’s activities began at DEMC 2024. Listening to the intriguing, out of the ordinary, funny, complex, and just quirky stories that are experienced in our field was an absolute delight. Inspiration is the word to describe it, however the word doesn’t seem enough. The conversations over just a short time frame, left me energized and thinking of all the potential and exciting areas there are to explore in our field – Liz Drumm, AWE QLD Chapter Lead

  

Missed out? Come along to one of the following get togethers!

Drinks in the Brisbane CBD
5pm Wednesday 21 August 
Don’t for get to let us know if you can join us after work. Isles Lane is conveniently located in Post Office Square, opposite Central train station. Book now.

Breakfast in Mount Isa 
From 6.30am Wednesday 28 August 
If you are in Mt Isa, join us for breakfast from 630am at Isa Hotel Isa Hotel, 13 Miles St, Mount Isa QLD, to network with other AWE members. Book here

Overnight camping adventure – final call for EOIs!
Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 August
We’re seeking expressions of interest for anyone interested in attending an overnight, accessible one-night camp in the Scenic Rim/Lockyer Valley area. See our events section for details or register your interest here.

Stay tuned for the next online Queensland chapter meeting in September.

If you have queries about any of the above, or have other ideas for AWE QLD, send an email to Liz at [email protected]

AWE VIC

State Control Centre Visit 
We had a great turnout of 15 AWE VIC Chapter members at the Victoria State Control Centre (SCC) visit in July.  We were treated to some great talks from people working in various roles in the SCC and given some inside information about how we might apply for various roles which come up from time to time. Thanks very much to Leah Cornell-Morrissey for organising the tour and showing us around. After the tour we adjourned over the road for wine and cocktails and to discuss the types of activities our AWE Vic Chapter would like to attend. A great selection of fun things to do so watch your calendars for more events coming soon!

         

AWE Yarra Ranges Breakfast

AWE members living or working in or around the Yarra Ranges and outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne are also invited to come along to breakfast at Hutch & Co, 251 Main Street Lilydale at 8.30am Wednesday 14 August.

Email Amanda to let us know if you can make it.

Chapter Leads meet on the third Thursday of each month at 12pm AEST. The meeting link is here.
There were some great ideas shared at our last catch up so keep your eye out on events in your chapter in this newsletter, on the AWE events page, or in your emails, and if you have any ideas for an event you would like to attend, or host, please email us.

 

 
 

AWE New Zealand

 

 
 

After work drinks in the Hawke’s Bay TONIGHT! 
Out near Havelock North on Wednesday, 7 August? You’re invited to come join other women in emergencies from 6-8pm at Mijita’s for drinks and shared tapas, as well as an informal brainstorming session on future activities!
Contact Michelle to save your seat. 

Book club in Wellington
We’re seeking expressions of interest for anyone interested in attending an emergency management-themed book club in the Wellington area. If you have suggestions or this sounds up your alley, please let us know by the end of August so we can make arrangements.
We’ll be in touch with more information in early September. 

Australasian Women in Emergencies Day and Events near you
Help celebrate AWE Day with us on the second Tuesday of October by hosting your own local event! AWE Day is an opportunity for all members to come together and foster a sense of community and collaboration. Whether it’s a breakfast, a friendly drink, or a shared dinner, your involvement will help strengthen our collective spirit and achievements. So don’t miss out on the chance to host an event and inspire others in your little part of New Zealand.
Contact Amy to get started, and let’s spread the word for a grand celebration across Australasia!

Shared AWE NZ events calendar 
Don’t want to miss an AWE NZ event? You can access our shared AWE NZ event calendar on Google to discover upcoming local events, workshops, webinars, and community gatherings focused around Aotearoa NZ.

Sector news and resources  
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council receives independent flood review into Cyclone Gabrielle: The report of the Hawke’s Bay Independent Flood Review into Cyclone Gabrielle and its impacts on Hawke’s Bay was officially received on Wednesday 24 July by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. 

August AWE NZ Breakfast 

12 AWE members met in Wellington on 6 August for kai (food) and kawhe (coffee). There was good relationship building with attendees from Health New Zealand, MPI, NEMA, NZ-RTs, and Wellington City Council. We also talked about what we want from AWE, how to build the sector, and ideas for future social events (happy hour, sip and paints), growth and development (EM-themed book and podcast club, short courses), and information sharing to support us working smarter together. See below for details on September’s breakfast and we encourage you to participate or lead future events like these!

AWE NZ Wellington Breakfast – first Tuesday of every month

7.30am Tuesday 3 September
Old Bailey Restaurant
101 Lambton Quay, Wellington
Join AWE for breakfast on the first Tuesday of every month in Wellington! Drop in to the Old Bailey from 7:30am – have a coffee or stay for breakfast and connect with AWE members and other women working in our sector! To RSVP and ensure space, please contact Amy. 

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.

 

 
 

AWE Pacific

 

 
 


If you live or work anywhere in the Pacific, or have an interest in emergency management and disaster resilience across the Pacific, come along to our next AWE Pacific Chapter Meet & Greet at 9.30am AEST on Wednesday 21 August. Everybody is welcome! Register here.

Traditional knowledge and extreme weather: The Ni-Vanuatu have a rich cultural tradition that includes indigenous weather and climate forecasting knowledge based on the close observation of nature. Read more here.

If you would like to get in touch with the AWE Pacific Chapter Lead, or have any news, information or events to share with AWE Pacific members, please email us at [email protected]u 

 

 
 

Women in Emergencies for Climate Action

 

 
 

Join Women in Emergencies for Climate Action at our next meeting from 12-1pm AEST on Wednesday 21 August. Please register here if you would like to attend.

Recent resources:

  • Climate change impacts on health across the life course: These articles explain that climate change has diverse and detrimental impacts on health and well-being across all life stages, from infancy to older age.
  • Planned relocation: This article argues that we can and should plan ahead, identify areas most at risk and permanently relocate communities before disaster strikes; while this article explores how to foster more equitable and sustainable relocation processes and outcomes.
  • The radical work of mourning: This ABC podcast offers a poetic discussion on the ways to create space to grieve for species that are going, or gone.
  • Young people and climate activism: This article explores how adults and young people might co-create more care-full and safe climate justice movements capable of supporting, sustaining, and sharing power with young people. 
The Women in Emergencies for Climate Action chapter aims to be a strong and inclusive voice in climate change advocacy and action, sharing experience and expertise, and leveraging our partnerships and networks to add our voice and commitment to the climate emergency.

 

 
 

 

 
 

Better Outcomes: A practical approach to assessment and management of trauma-related mental illness.
Free webinar
6.20pm AEST Thursday 15 August
Are you a health professional working in a regional, rural or remote area? Would you like to be prepared with the latest research insights and resources so can support your community with the mental health impacts of trauma? This free webinar from Phoenix Australia will guide you through how to identify and respond to psychological trauma, share common diagnostic challenges and provide an overview of the evidence-based PTSD treatments and guidelines. Book now

Prevent, Detect, Escape: Home Fire Safety for people at greater risk
Free online learning module
Prevent, Detect Escape is a CFA and FRV learning module available to improve home fire safety for people who are at higher risk from fire, including people with a disability. It is suitable for individuals at higher risk from fire, carers, support workers, service providers, others delivering in home support, or anyone interested in home fire safety. Full details are available here.

 

 
 

Sector news and resources

 

 
 

3G closure: Australia’s 3G networks are closing. Devices that don’t support 4G and 4G emergency calling will not be able to make an emergency call to 000 after the 3G networks close. Find out more here.

Citizen volunteers in disaster risk reduction: This research examines the positive and negative outcomes of volunteers’ experiences in a New Zealand disaster resilience initiative.

Community led resilience impacts and lessons: Two new Fire to Flourish reports have been launched at a national webinar and are now available to download – 2023 Impact Report and Fire to Flourish: Lessons Learned in Its Activation.

Community-led responses to climate change: This new report explores the critical role of community leadership in addressing the multifaceted impacts of climate change, particularly focusing on issues of social justice and equity.

Disaster specialist Lucy Easthope: Listen to this ABC conversation with Lucy Easthope as she shares her experiences and insights into disasters and how they are managed.

Emergency Services Match 2024: Get ready for an action-packed Emergency Services Match when the Hawks take on the Tigers and we give thanks to the workers and volunteers who protect and serve the Victorian community. Free pre-game event, and discounted match tickets available. 18 August, MCG.

Gender and disaster conference: Gender and Disaster Australia is convening a new conference to take place on 24-25 March 2025 in Melbourne. Abstracts for the Equity & Survival in a Time of Turbulence conference are now open.

Keeping communities safer from escalating climate impacts: This new report from Emergency Leaders for Climate Action and the Climate Council outlines five priorities to better protect communities from the climate impacts of today, and tomorrow.

Lifeline: Lifeline now offers information and tools for people impacted by disasters. Find out more here.

Natural Hazards Research Forum recap: Catch up on the presentations, discussions and debates from the Natural Hazards Research Forum 2024 here.

Strata and disaster: This new report provides a snapshot of the readiness of Australia’s apartment sector to respond to climate and non-climate related emergencies and disasters.

Stronger Communities, Brighter Futures: A new Resilient Ready report explores social capital and social infrastructure measurement and investment in building resilience.

Victoria’s Bushfire Management Strategy:  This new Victorian strategy brings together work already underway with work planned to do over the next 10 years to manage bushfire on public and private land.

Volunteer in Victoria? EMV is currently exploring ways to better consult and communicate with volunteers – both formal and informal – in the emergency management sector. Complete the Volunteer engagement and communication survey now.

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 job opportunities

 

 
 

ACT
General Manager Emergency Preparedness, Animal Health and Biosecurity, Animal Health Australia
Program Officer, Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate

NSW
Operational Officer Level 3 – State Operations, NSW Rural Fire Service
Coordination Officer, NSW Reconstruction Authority

QLD
Principal Program Officer, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Manager Health, Safety and Resilience, Port of Townsville

SA
State Planning Officer, SA State Emergency Service
Senior Project Officer – Emergency Alert Training, SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission

TAS
Senior Policy and Research Officer, TFES Integration Project, Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Senior Ranger, Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

VIC
Emergency Resilience Project Officer, Wellington Shire Council
Municipal Resilience Officer, City of Ballarat

WA
Emergency Services Manager, Shire of Moora
Fire Management Planner and Coordinator, Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation

NZ
Senior Advisor, Pacific Disaster Risk Management, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Emergency Management Officer, Waikato Regional Council

If you’ve got a job vacancy you would like to promote 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

 

 
 

If you are attending any of the major events below 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.

3-6 September          AFAC24 with ADRC 2024

24-26 September        National Indigenous Disaster Resiience Gathering

8-10 October              The Global Nature Positive Summit 2024

October                       Australasian Women in Emergencies Day

13 October                  International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

11-24 November         UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29)

1 October                    AWE Recognition Awards Ceremony

14-17 October             Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (PH)

9-10 September          Climate Change and Business Conference Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland NZ.

7 – 9 November           Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress

1-2 December             International Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming (NZ)

2025

24-25 March             Gender and Disaster Conference (NEW!)

 

 
 

Newsletter contributions

 

 
 

The AWE Newsletter is published monthly and is distributed to more than 2000 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]

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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.
 

 

 

 
 

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