AWE Newsletter February 2026 |
| AWE is back for 2026 and we’re looking forward to |
| an exciting year with our members! |
AWE News |
| It’s been a busy and challenging start to the year for our sector. Following the devastating Bondi Beach incident in late December, many AWE members across Australia and New Zealand have since been responding to extreme heat, structure fires, major bushfires, flooding, storms, cyclones, landslides, marine and water rescue, and more. |
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| We know that these events can have a significant personal and emotional impact. It’s important to pause, check in with yourself and others, and seek support if you need it. In addition to the services provided by your organisation, consider the following: |
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| Please know that AWE and our members stand with you — with gratitude, care and solidarity. |
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| AWE Committee 2026 |
| At December’s AWE AGM, we were thrilled to announce the newest members of the AWE Committee: |
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| Together, Farah, Kellie, April, Brandy and Grace are driven by a shared commitment to advancing gender equity, breaking down barriers, strengthening inclusion and collaboration, and empowering women and communities across the emergency management sector and beyond. We are very much looking forward to working with these new Committee members to continue our great work with and for our members, and for women in emergencies everywhere. |
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| Australia Day Honours 2026 |
| AWE proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2026 Australia Day Honours, which recognise the outstanding service, leadership and dedication of Australians across the community. This year saw strong representation of women across the emergency management sector, with almost 30 per cent of honours awarded in recognition of their leadership, professionalism and dedication to public safety. |
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| Christine says, ‘Receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia is incredibly humbling. I see it not as recognition of one person, but of the many dedicated volunteers and professionals – particularly women – who quietly give so much to their communities every day. Emergency management can be challenging, but it is also deeply rewarding, and I hope this recognition encourages more women to step forward, back themselves, and pursue leadership roles in the sector.” |
| AWE celebrates Christine and all recipients and their achievements, which continue to strengthen and inspire the emergency management sector nationwide. |
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| Extreme Heat Awareness Day 4 February |
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| Extreme heat is already affecting our health, our infrastructure, our ecosystems and our most vulnerable communities. With recent record-breaking temperatures, and more frequent, longer-lasting heat events across the country, the risks are no longer theoretical. Extreme Heat Awareness Day is a reminder that heatwaves are preventable disasters. By preparing our homes and cities, checking in on neighbours, supporting community-led solutions, and acting decisively on climate change, we can reduce the toll of extreme heat and protect lives—now and into the future. |
| Check out the Extreme Heat Awareness Webinar today at 2pm AEDT, as well as the resources by the organisers of Extreme Heat Awareness Day, Sweltering Cities and Australian Red Cross, to learn more about extreme heat, stories and solutions. |
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| AWE Mentoring Program |
| The AWE Mentoring Program is back for 2026! |
| ‘We believe every woman has something valuable to offer. Mentoring isn’t about being the ‘expert’; it’s about connection, support, and shared learning. Our program pairs women across the sector to help build confidence, capability, and community. Many past participants have told us their mentoring partnership became one of the most rewarding parts of their professional journey.’
Jennifer Rizzi, AWE Mentoring Lead |
| The unique, structured, eight-month AWE Mentoring Program connects mentors and mentees across disciplines, fostering professional growth, confidence, leadership, and lasting connections – and we’re on the lookout for a few more passionate mentors to support our keen mentees! If you have experience in: |
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| We would love to hear from you! If you’re looking to develop your career, share your expertise, or gain fresh perspectives in emergency management, sign up here. |
| Applications are now open and close on 15 February. |
| Don’t miss this opportunity to support and make a real difference to women in the sector! |
| For more information, please email us at [email protected] |
| AWE Events |
| Rising tides: What films reveal about resilience, gender and disaster |
| 12.30pm AEDT Wednesday 11 March |
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| Join AWE, Gender and Disaster Australia and special guests for an engaging online discussion exploring the intersections of gender, disasters and popular culture. |
| Exploring the recent Korean film The Great Flood, the Rising tides: What films reveal about resilience, gender and disaster webinar will bring together experts from social advocacy, disaster science, the built environment, and urban resilience to unpack how disasters are portrayed on screen — and what these narratives reveal about gender, power, vulnerability, and resilience in real-world disaster contexts. Speakers will be announced soon. |
| The Great Flood is currently streaming on Netflix. |
| Book now! |
| AWE Member Profiles |
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Bringing nearly four decades of leadership across policing and emergency management, Debra Abbott was, until recently, Triple Zero Victoria’s inaugural CEO. A recipient of the Australian Police Medal, Debra led responses to some of Victoria’s most challenging crises, including the Black Summer Fires, major floods, and the Bourke Street incident. As Deputy Commissioner at Emergency Management Victoria, she established Australia’s first 24/7 multi-agency intelligence section, pivotal during COVID-19. Driving transformative reform at Triple Zero Victoria, Debra embedded trust, accountability, and innovation. A mentor and champion for women leaders, her visionary leadership created lasting resilience and systemic change across Victoria’s emergency sector. Debra received a 2025 AWE Leadership Award in recognition of her role in significantly enhancing the emergency management and disaster resilience sector.
Vicki Anderson is a respected leader in Queensland’s disaster management sector whose expertise and commitment have delivered exceptional outcomes across local, state, and non-government agencies. Over the past year she has led 13 significant projects, including disaster planning, operational reviews, and recovery coordination for councils across South East Queensland. Following Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Vicki guided Moreton Bay’s response, led Redland City’s after-action review, and developed its Recovery Plan with compassion and foresight. She also facilitated reviews for Australian Red Cross and IGEM, championing collaboration and continuous improvement. Vicki exemplifies excellence in practice and inspires those around her. Vicki received a 2025 AWE Response, Recovery, and Resilience Building Award in recognition of her commitment to excellence in emergency management practice and capability.| AWE Member Profiles showcase the diversity, skills, and experience of our members. They also highlight the vast range of roles, paid and volunteer, that make up the emergency and disaster resilience sector. This year, the AWE Newsletter will feature the recipients of the 2025 AWE Recognition Awards. |
AWE Australia |
| Get involved, get connected!
AWE Australia is where our network really comes to life — through local catch-ups, online conversations, and practical learning led by members, for members. As we look ahead, we’re keen to hear from women across Australia who are interested in initiating or leading events, whether that’s a casual coffee, an online session, or a speaker-led discussion. Best of all you don’t have to do it alone – AWE can support you with promotion, planning, and organisation, making it easier to turn an idea into a great event. If you’ve been thinking “Someone should organise something” — this might be your sign! We’d love to support you to make it happen, so email us today at [email protected] AWE CBD Melbourne Breakfast Catch-Up 8am Tuesday 10 March Brunetti Oro, 250 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Connect with other AWE Network members for a relaxed coffee or breakfast on the first Tuesday of the even months – April, June, August, October in 2026. Please email us if you’d like to connect! Details and more dates here AWE Port Melbourne Catch-Up 8am Monday 30 March Rock, Paper, Scissors, 36/138 Rouse St, Port Melbourne Details and more dates here. AWE LaTrobe Valley and Gippsland Catch-Up Want to be part of establishing the newest AWE Breakfast Catch-up in Traralgon? Watch this space for details of the 2026 Catch-ups in the heart of Victoria’s Gippsland region! For more information, contact Narelle 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. |
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| We encourage members to organise networking and other events in their local areas. |
| For more information, and support, please email us at [email protected] |
AWE New Zealand |
AWE NZ Wellington get-togethers Wellington women will be hosting regular monthly catch-ups in 2026, alternating between breakfasts and after-work drinks, with a mix of connection-focused gatherings and guest speakers. Keep an eye out here for details: https://events.humanitix.com/wellington-2026-catch-ups, and check out our first event for the year below!
Get involved, get connected! AWE NZ is where our network really comes to life — through local catch-ups, online conversations, and practical learning led by members, for members. As we look ahead, we’re keen to hear from women across Aotearoa New Zealand who are interested in initiating or leading events, whether that’s a casual coffee, an online session, or a speaker-led discussion. Best of all you don’t have to do it alone – AWE can support you with promotion, planning, and organisation, making it easier to turn an idea into a great event. If you’ve been thinking “Someone should organise something” — this might be your sign. We’d love to support you to make it happen so email us today at [email protected] |
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| 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. |
Women in Emergencies for Climate Action |
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Professional Development |
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| Educating children and young people about emergencies and disasters helps build resilience, reduces fear by giving them a sense of control, saves lives through practical skills, and empowers them to prepare for, respond to, and recover from traumatic events affecting their families and communities. Why not get yourself back to school and explore the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience’s range of information on disaster resilience education for children and young people, including: |
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| Have you ever wanted to work overseas? Australian Volunteers is offering a range of exciting, fully funded overseas assignments for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience: |
| Livelihoods, Environment and Climate Action Specialist |
| In this 6-month role in Papua New Guinea you will support World Vision PNG to integrate climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction strategies across all livelihood and resilience programs. From April 2026 (flexible) |
| Forest Fire Management Mentor |
| In this 12-month role in Bhutan you will support the Department of Forest and Park Services to develop a nationwide forest fire fuel type model and hotspot mapping. From May 2026 (flexible) |
| Cumulative Impact Assessment Mentor |
| In this 12-month role in Bhutan you will strengthen air quality monitoring and data management capacity in the Department of Environment and Climate Change in alignment with the department’s SDG goal 5 (gender equity and inclusivity). From May 2026 (flexible) |
| Training and Development Specialist – DRRM-CCAM In this 6-month role in the Philippines you will work with local government units to enhance pre- and post-disaster risk assessment and response, using remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS/UAVs) and advanced mapping technologies. From June 2026. |
| DRRM Logistics Officer (Humanitarian Aid Delivery & Management) In this 12-month role in the Philippines you will help strengthen disaster response logistics systems, improve the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, and build local capacity in emergency logistics management. From June 2026. |
| All volunteer roles are fully funded by DFAT, covering international travel, accommodation, living allowances, insurance, and comprehensive pre-departure training and support. For further information please contact Australian Volunteers Partnerships Coordinator Jia O’Donoghue at [email protected] |
Sector News & Resources |
| AJEM: The first edition of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management for 2026 is out now. It includes an article on women’s pregnancy and new motherhood experiences in Australian disasters.
Arts and disaster: This research article explores how arts and cultural activities can reduce disaster risk and improve recovery outcomes. Bushfire: This article explores how bushfires make their own weather; this article explores socio-economics and bushfire impact; this article explores communication failures; and this article explores why it is so difficult to predict megafires. Bushfire preparedness: This research article explores the levels of preparedness by people who have previously been exposed to bushfire. Collective trauma events: This webinar will explore what distinguishes sudden-impact collective trauma events, what this means for recovery planning and practice, and how systems and practitioners can better support communities – safely, inclusively, and over the long term. Community resilience: The new Guidebook for Community Resilience, drawn from cities all around the world, offers practical, actionable steps that help communities prepare for disasters, stay protected during emergencies, and recover more quickly afterward. Extreme heat: This new report investigates strategies to support people facing homelessness during extreme heat events; this article asks why aren’t we doing more to cool our cities; and this research reveals human-induced climate change is making heatwaves five times as likely. Flood: This article explores flood warnings, while this article shares research about flood preparedness. FRRR fundraiser: FRRR has launched a recovery appeal to support remote, rural and regional communities impacted by the 2026 bushfires in Victoria and flooding in Queensland. Gender and PPRR: This research article explores traditional approaches to emergency management through a gendered lens. Global impact of wildfire: This article explores the invisible impacts and cost of wildfire across the world in 2025. Home relocation: This new guide outlines steps to consider when relocating a home in NSW. International Women’s Day: ESF is once again hosting their very popular International Women’s Day forum on Thursday 5 March at the MCG, while IGEM Queensland’s Landslides and mental health: This blog shares key findings of a study on the mental health impacts of landslides, while this article reminds us that landslides are New Zealand’s deadliest hazard. Law and disasters: A new report exploring the role of the law in disasters, and how the legal sector supports communities before, during and after emergencies, will be launched on 17 February. NSW SES: The NSW SES has a wide range of both job and volunteering opportunities. To access paid job opportunities, click here and if you’re interested in volunteering with the NSW SES, click here for more information. Researchers and trauma: A new 90-minute online course is designed to help researchers conduct their work in ways that are emotionally safe, supportive, and sensitive to participants’ needs. Trauma guidelines: A new set of guidelines provides fire and emergency service agencies with good practice principles for tracking potentially traumatic events exposure and organisational responses, to complement broader sector/organisational efforts to support worker mental health and wellbeing. Victorian Honour Roll of Women: Recognise the achievements of outstanding women across Victoria by nominating someone (or yourself!) for the 2026 Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Nominations are open until 11:59pm on Friday 20 March. Warning messages and preparedness: This article explores social networks and collective behaviour for warning messages that are clear, credible, and emotionally resonant. Water safety strategy: The Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 – Midpoint Update shows that overall drowning rates are trending in the wrong direction and provides three national imperatives: swimming and water safety skills for all; localising water safety efforts; and aligning policies and partnerships for change. When cities burn: A new report from the Climate Council explores how and why Australian cities are at increasing risk of firestorms like the 2025 Los Angeles fires.
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| 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 |
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| If you are attending any of these major events and would like to meet up with other AWE members, please email us at [email protected] and we’ll help you to connect. |
About AWE |
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| 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, YouTube and Instagram To become an AWE member, please visit https://www.awenetwork.org.au/join-awe-network/
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 recognises that 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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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]. Check out past Newsletters here. |
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