AWE Newsletter – March 2024

We are excited to announce we have appointed our first AWE Pacific Chapter Lead – Mary Jack. Mary is a Ni-Vanuatu woman who is passionate about the role of women and girls in emergencies and disasters. She is an experienced community development practitioner and currently works at the Pacific Institute of Public Policy. You can read more about Mary in the AWE Pacific section below. 

International Women’s Day

AWE recognises International Women’s Day as an important time to reflect on progress, to call for change and to celebrate the courage and determination of the women who changed history, and those who will advance gender equality into the future.

AWE celebrates women across the emergency management and disaster resilience sector every day, and especially on International Women’s Day! We’ve got a range of events planned to help celebrate and hope to see you there. See AWE Events for more information.

Philippa Woolf Scholarships

The 2024 Philippa Woolf Scholarships open soon!

In partnership with ACIM Solutions we are pleased to be offering seven scholarships to be part of a cohort to study three units
of competence that incorporate the new nationally accredited
Participate in a Recovery Team skill set.

Read more about the Scholarships below, including a testimonial from past Philippa Woolf Scholarship recipient Donna Brown. 

AWEsome volunteers!

Did you know that we have more than 20 volunteers who are working on a range of projects and initiatives to support AWE as we grow and expand our footprint? You can find out more about just some of these AWEsome volunteers in our Member Profiles section below. If you’d like to get involved in AWE, please email us. 

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Harmony Week takes place from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 March, culminating in the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

AWE acknowledges, values and celebrates the rich diversity and intersectionality of our members, workplaces and communities. We are committed to supporting a welcoming, respectful, equitable and culturally safe emergency management and disaster resilience sector for everyone. We are also committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, respectful and safe network, where people of all genders, identities, cultures, backgrounds, abilities and experiences feel they belong and are empowered and able to strive and thrive.

We’re in the process of reviewing and strengthening our Inclusion and Diversity approaches and policies. Please email us if you’re interested in getting involved.

AWE website

Oops! We recently had some trouble with our website with a few members reporting they were unable to access the site and/or open tabs. We’ve now had this fixed by our AWE IT volunteer Laura Cooney. If you are having trouble accessing the AWE website please ensure you clear your caches/browsing data/browsing history before trying again. And please contact us if you notice any other issues with our website. 

Employer Gender Pay Gaps Report 

In February 2024, private sector employer gender pay gaps were published for every company in Australia with more than 100 employees. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) collates the information, defining the Gender Pay Gap as the difference between the average or median pay of women and men across organisations, industries and the workforce as a whole.

The data highlighted massive gender pay gaps at some of the most well-known businesses, including many where women are key customers. Sadly Australia dropped to rank 43rd in the World Economic Forum’s global gender gap index 2022. 

Hopefully public pressure from workers inside companies, and from customers carefully purchasing, will accelerate progress with the media coverage. Data from public sector employers will be published in late 2024 or early 2015.

You can access the data at WGEA Data Explorer, and you can learn more about the gender pay gap at our upcoming IWD webinar Equal recognition, equal remuneration. Details are available in AWE Events.

AWE and ACIM Solutions are pleased to be offering seven scholarships to be part of a cohort to study three units of competence that incorporate the new nationally accredited Participate in a Recovery Team skill set (PUASS00095).

Philippa Woolf said, ““This program focuses on developing the skills and knowledge needed to work as part of organisations that provide recovery or relief services after an emergency. This is often at evacuation centres, relief or recovery centres, or through outreach programs. This program may also be useful for community members who participate in recovery efforts as a result of a disaster impacting their community.”

Donna Brown was a recipient of a Philippa Woolf Scholarship in 2022.  Donna says, “I’d like to thank Philippa and the team at AWE for my scholarship opportunity to complete my Diploma of Public Safety and Emergency Management.  With my current role in Disaster Management at Local Government, the Diploma was and will be imperative for coordinating and facilitating disaster events in our region. I work closely with emergency services and believe the skills I have  gained will ensure we assist our community and environment in the best way possible. Being a working parent it can be hard to fit in extra study, but I was very excited to finish the Diploma with the assistance of the AWE team. I strongly encourage anyone who is thinking of applying for a scholarship to go ahead!”

Are you in Melbourne and attending the ESF IWD event on 7 March at the Arts Centre? Amongst other activities, the winners of the inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Awards will be speaking with judges Ro Allen, Niki Vincent and Rick Nugent. If you are coming along, look out for other AWE members. AWE co-founder Amanda Lamont will be there wearing her yellow AWE badge, and will have badges to hand out to other members so we can stand out on the crowd. We will also head off for a drink after the event at a nearby venue. Contact Amanda on 0407 696 300 or [email protected] if you would like to join us.

AWE VIC Chapter Co-lead Akira Kelly is attending a Victoria Police IWD event where she will be promoting AWE and its activities to women working in policing. We hope to see some new Victorian members joining AWE as a result of Akira’s presentation!

Calling all AWE members in or around Ballarat! Bendigo SES is holding a trivia night on 15 March, and AWE VIC would love to get a table together for AWE members. Please contact Akira at [email protected] by 8 March if you would like to join the AWE table. 

AWE WA

AWE WA members – have your say! Chapter Co-leads Charmaine and Annette would like to understand what you are looking to achieve through your involvement with AWE, with the intention of designing and facilitating future events in WA which assist members to achieve their goals. WA members are asked to complete this 3 – 5min survey.  

AWE Pacific is very excited to announce the appointment of its first Chapter Lead, Mary Jack. Mary has more than 10 years’ experience working in community development and management with government and non-government organisations in Vanuatu. Over the past four years alone she has worked with more than 4000 women and girls in safety and protection. Mary is also a National Board Member of the Vanuatu Red Cross and was invited to meet with the World General Secretary of Red Cross last year to discuss rapid response during disasters.

Mary says, “I am a Ni-Vanuatu woman and I work with women emergency response leaders in the most disaster-prone nation on earth: Vanuatu. My country is no stranger to disasters, but lately, climate change has been causing more frequent and powerful storms than before. I know that this experience is not unique to us alone. There are sisters across the Pacific, in Australia and around the world who are facing the same challenges as us. But rather than be intimidated by the global scale of the climate change crisis, I see the potential to draw strength from this solidarity. But we can only support each other if our stories are being heard. I have been an AWE member since it started, and I love the work that AWE is doing. AWE has a reputation of nurturing and building up individuals especially women and girls, and this has inspired me to help grow the AWE network across the Pacific.”

We are very privileged to have such a passionate, skilled and talented woman supporting the AWE Pacific Chapter! You can contact Mary by emailing [email protected]

Elly Bird

Elly Bird is Executive Director of Resilient Lismore, a community-led organisation leading recovery efforts in Lismore, and a Councillor on Lismore City Council. Elly will be providing support for AWE’s membership portfolio and says, “I’ve been impressed by AWE since its inception and I am inspired by the commitment and focus on building a strong network of women who are active before, during and after disasters. There are so many of us, and AWE is a fantastic way we can be better connected nationally. I’m looking forward to engaging more with AWE into 2024.” 

Emma Herschell 

Emma is a Volunteer Program Coordinator at CFA, and represented CFA on deployment to Canada and Broome, WA in 2023. Emma is also on the path to becoming a Level 3 Logistics Officer. Emma will be providing support for AWE’s inclusion and diversity work and says that working with AWE presents an opportunity for growth and harnessing the power of diversity and inclusion. She says, “With women supporting women, we create a more inclusive environment, enriching our collective efforts with resilience, resourcefulness, and a collaborative spirit.”

Jan Rooney

Jan is the Senior Stakeholder Engagement Advisor at the NSW Telco Authority, helping to manage the public safety radio network that emergency service organisations use in NSW. Jan is also a volunteer lifeguard at Surf Life Saving NSW.

Jan is Co-Leading the AWE Events Subcommittee and says she is excited about working with the other committee members to continue to grow the network and add value to members.  

Jo Killick: Membership 

Jo is Principal Consultant at Yellow Company and works with local, State and Commonwealth governments and NGOs in drought, disaster recovery and resilience planning, reporting and program evaluation.

Jo is leading the AWE Membership Subcommittee and says, “AWE is more than just a great group to belong to, it is about supporting, participating and sharing to contribute to the bigger picture and a better way forward.”

Kate Lavrencic

Kate is Senior Consultant at The Yellow Company and has coordinated a range of projects and programs including for Get Ready Queensland, the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction and Regional Drought Resilience Planning.

Kate is Co-Leading the AWE Events Subcommittee and supporting our Communications portfolio and says it’s a privilege to help contribute to AWE in ways that will promote meaningful collaboration, learning and recognition across the network.

Kylie Wallace

Kylie works in disaster resilience and emergency management for a local council in the Hunter Valley and recently received her Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development. Kylie will be supporting AWE with its information technology needs to foster stronger connections and collaboration among members. Kylie says she is committed to helping the network grow and to facilitate meaningful relationships within the emergency management and disaster resilience community. 

 Liz Morley

Liz is a Paramedic Intern & a Clinical Volunteer with NSW Ambulance and a Firefighter & Brigade Community Engagement Officer with NSW Rural Fire Service. Liz will be supporting AWE’s events and communications AND will also be our new AWE NSW Chapter Lead!

Liz says, “I am excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to stand beside, and work with, like-minded women aiming to empower others in the emergency management sector. AWE has a very bright future.”

Lydia Wardale

Lydia works in international biodiversity policy and was Winner of Natural Hazards Research Australia’s Disaster Challenge in 2023.

Lydia is providing support for the revitalisation of AWE’s mentoring program and says she is excited to be a part of helping the AWE community to achieve their personal and professional goals in 2024. 

 Nicoli Ackland

Nicoli is a paid Volunteer Support Officer and a volunteer fire fighter with the South Australian Country Fire Service. Prior to this Nicoli managed her own First Aid delivery business and has worked with various organisations across regional SA.

Nicoli says, “I believe that strategic planning is critical for both innovation and sustainability, and I am very excited to be a part of AWE’s strategic planning team.”

Community-led resilience network: DisasterWISE is a movement of people and learning network aimed at building disaster resilience through community-led action, connection, learning and driving change.

ESF IWD: On 7 March 2024, ESF will host its annual International Women’s Day forum at Arts Centre Melbourne to continue to support and advocate for women and gender diverse people in the Victorian emergency services sector. 

Families guide: The ESF Families Guide is a new resource designed to help families of emergency service workers – especially families of volunteers. It provides information on mental fitness, the role of families, warning signs, and where to go for advice and help for workers, partners and children.

Foundations in disaster recovery: The 2024 dates are now available for the Foundations in Disaster Recovery: Understanding Impacts to people and communities course which is designed for practitioners, volunteers and community members who are (or will be) working in post-disaster settings. Scholarships are available.

New Zealand Harkness Fellowship: the New Zealand Harkness Fellowship is for a high potential senior leader in any field of study or vocation (excluding health care policy and practice) to study or research in the US for between 3-6 months.

Rescue skills: Women in Rescue is a training event for women in the Victorian SES designed to provide them with the opportunity to get hands-on with equipment, build on rescue skills, and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.

Reflections on disaster planning: Check out this podcast with Professor Lucy Easthope, UK expert and advisor on emergency planning and disaster recovery, where she discusses why is planning a good idea but how we should also leave a little room for spontaneity. Professor Easthope also features in this podcast discussing the English Government’s decision making during COVID-19 and what life was like for disaster planners under austerity.

Recovery webinar series: Recovery Uncovered is a new Red Cross/AIDR webinar series that explores disaster recovery from a community perspective. Through a fusion of lived experience, expert research and practical advice, each webinar session offers the opportunity to explore disaster recovery through the eyes of those who have lived it to gain valuable insights, evidence and tools to enhance recovery practice.

Te Tohu Ratonga Tūmatanui: The Ria McBride Public Service Award provides up to $15,000 to women currently working in the NZ public service to progress their career through tertiary academic study. Applications open 2 April and close on 31 May 2024.

Women bearing brunt of Turkiye’s earthquake: This article explores how the devastation of last year’s earthquake has exposed deep societal scars, and women are bearing the brunt.

Women’s leadership in floods: A new University of Newcastle report Women’s leadership and a community ‘saving itself’ provides important learnings and recommendations from research with women affected by the catastrophic 2022 Northern Rivers floods.

Volunteer Leadership: AIDR’s Volunteer Leadership Program equips volunteers from community organisations, not-for-profits, disaster relief organisations and local government within the emergency management sector, with the skills and confidence to grow as leaders.

ACT
Emergency Services Volunteer, Australian Red Cross
Disaster Recovery Manager, PwC

NSW
Fire & Emergency Preparedness Manager, The Star Entertainment Group
Climate Change Manager, Engineers Australia

QLD
Program Officer – IM Capability Readiness, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Principal Project Officer [Training Optimisation] – SES Training, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

SA
Regional Operations Planning Officer, SA Country Fire Service
Senior Policy Officer, Climate Change, Environment Protection Authority

TAS
Climate Change Manager, Engineers Australia
Assistant Director – AAD Safety in Design, Department of Climate Change Energy the Environment and Water

VIC
Senior Adviser, Climateworks Centre, Monash University
Coordinator Emergency Management & Business Continuity, Murrindindi Shire Council

WA
Community Education Officer, City of Armadale
Sustainability Project Officer, City of Perth

NZ
Sustainability Advisor, Enviro NZ
Hospital & Specialist Services Emergency Management Coordinator, Te Whatu Ora Health NZ – Tairāwhiti

16-18 April                  7th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference

22-23 April                  Climate and nature 2030

14-16 May                  Natural Hazards Research Forum

21-24 May                   2024 Floodplain Management Australia National Conference

11-12 June                  The Future is Now: Biodiversity, Climate and Us (NZ)

16-17 July                   Emergency Management Conference 2024

22-23 July                   2024 Disaster & Emergency Management Conference

3-6 September            AFAC24

October                      The Global Nature Positive Summit 2024

October                      Australasian Women in Emergencies Day

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

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

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