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

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the September 2024 edition of the AWE Newsletter

 

 

 

Click on the links below to get straight to what you want to read:
AWE News
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

 

 

 

AWE Recognition Awards Ceremony Tuesday 1 October 

Nominations for the AWE Recognition Awards close at midnight tonight. We are thrilled by the number and calibre of nominations we’ve received so far, all of which highlight the extraordinary contributions women are making across all areas of the emergency management and disaster resilience sector.

Join us to find out who the recipients of the 2024 AWE Recognition Awards will be! We will formally recognise and honour those who inspire us and make a profound difference in emergency management and disaster resilience right across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.

Book now!


AWE at AFAC 2024

If you’re attending AFAC or ADRC this week, make sure you come along to the Exhibition Hall to check out the AWE Poster – we’re Poster number 211 and our AWE yellow is very easy to spot!

We’re also going to be enjoying a networking breakfast on Thursday morning just downstairs from the conference – book your spot now.

And don’t forget to wear your AWE badge – it’s a great way to meet other members!


Scholarship winners!

We are delighted to announce not just one but two winners of the final Foundations in Disaster Recovery Scholarship for 2024 – Veronika Munro and Grace Roberts. 

Veronika Munro, who volunteers with her local Wellington Region Emergency Management Office in New Zealand, says she is very keen to learn more about recovery and be part of the future solutions for our communities locally and globally. Veronika believes that although response is critical, the real work starts in communities once the emergency teams leave and communities need to rebuild and recover – finding opportunities to evolve and create strengthened resilience as well as taking the opportunity to improve their social and wellbeing systems and structures.

Grace Roberts, who works for a small business in Far North Queensland, says that the remote communities she works with are isolated from major services, and that the compounding impacts of disasters are stressing the need for local skilled disaster recovery practitioners. Grace believes the scholarship will enable her to build her understanding of disaster recovery, and apply the learnings as a community development practitioner to support communities in her region in disasters to come.

We extend our very sincere thanks to the University of Melbourne for generously offering these scholarships to support the professional development of AWE members throughout 2024, and we look forward to offering the scholarships again next year. 


Women’s experiences of flood

The recent AWE webinar, Being, Belonging, Becoming: Women’s wellbeing in floods, outlined research by Women’s Health Loddon Mallee to understand and support gender equality and women’s wellbeing approaches in emergencies, and a new Being, Belonging, Becoming Model which provides a framework for understanding and responding to women’s wellbeing that can be adapted to different disasters, different communities, and different women. You can watch the recording here


AWE Breakfast in Wellington

This week, members once again braved the wet and windy Wellington weather to start their day on a positive note. The morning provided an opportunity to come together for light-hearted conversation, socialise, and discuss sector happenings. See the AWE NZ section below for details on October’s breakfast.
If you would you like to participate or lead future events like these in Australia, New Zealand or in the Pacific, email us today!


How are you? RU OK? All Right?

R U OK? in Australia and All Right? In New Zealand acknowledge the importance of mental health and wellbeing for everyone.  AWE recognises that we all struggle with life at some stage, and having someone reach out can make all the difference. Those who work or volunteer in emergency services and those who work with disaster affected communities can face unique mental health challenges. Check out R U OK?’s Are they triple OK? resources. 


 

 

 

AWE Events

 

 

 

AWE Networking Breakfast Sydney – AFAC/ADRC 2024

NEW DATE: Thursday 5 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!

Join us at the Planar restaurant, Sydney International Convention Centre. 

Book today 
 


Women in emergencies: Volunteer spotlight series

Next webinar Thursday 5 September

Hear from response team volunteers spread across the country in the Women in emergencies: Volunteer spotlight sessions! We’re continuing our series celebrating emergency volunteers throughout New Zealand. Each fortnight, we will be diving deeper into a different organisation’s amazing women volunteers:

  • Thursday 5 September: Fire and Emergency NZ
  • Thursday 19 September: NZRC 
  • Thursday 3 October: Land Search and Rescue 

 Book now

Missed a previous session? You can watch the recordings on AWE’s Youtube channel here. 

 

 

 


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 eventsMissed 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

During the last weeks of August, from the Brisbane CBD to Mount Isa, Queensland members came together, raising interest and awareness of the network. At the Queensland After Work Networking Event in the Brisbane CBD there were great conversations, while in Mount Isa, quite a group came together to share breaky.

Join the next online AWE QLD Chapter meeting at 5.30pm on Thursday 19 September. Register via Zoom here or email us for more information. 

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 SA

Last November a group of 13 women spent a weekend in Deep Creek National Park for some camping, hiking, networking, and above all, fun.  It was a great weekend in the luxury of a campground and easy walks. You can check out our video here. If you are interested in joining us on a weekend camping trip in South Australia, within 1-2 hours of Adelaide, please send your EOI to [email protected]


AWE VIC

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

 

 

 

NZ Scholarship winner!

We’re so excited that Veronika Munro – WREMO Wellington volunteer – is a winner of the Foundations in Disaster Recovery Scholarship! We can’t wait to hear how Veronika’s studies go and the disaster recovery insights she will bring from Australia to New Zealand. Congratulations Veronika! 


Book club

We are delighted to announce that the concept of a book-and-podcast club focusing on emergency management has been met with enthusiasm. Preparations are in progress, with the aim to launch by November for participants in the Wellington region. There is still an opportunity to suggest reading materials or express your interest in joining, so please get in touch with suggestions or requests.


AWE Recognition Awards Ceremony

Book now to attend the AWE Recognition Awards Ceremony, where 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. Come along and celebrate our wahine!

Tuesday 1 October.


AWE Day and Events near you

Celebrate AWE Day with us on 8 October by hosting a local event! It’s an opportunity for all members to come together, strengthening our sense of community and cooperation. Whether it’s a breakfast gathering, a casual drink, or a shared dinner, your involvement will enhance our shared spirit and achievements.

Take this chance to organise an event and inspire others in your area of New Zealand! Reach out for help getting started and let’s celebrate all across Austalasia!


Sector news and resources 

  • Land Mobile Radio Network: A revamped radio network will provide frontline emergency responders, including police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Wellington Free Ambulance and St John with an encrypted, resilient, digital radio communication system.
  • NZ and Canada boost ties: NEMA and Public Safety Canada will strengthen international cooperation on emergency management matters says Emergency Management and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell.
  • Summer EM roles: Check out these 12-week emergency management assistant roles available in Tauranga. Great for students or those looking to start their careers in EM.
  • Women’s experience of paramedicine: A new research study is looking for women EMTs, paramedics, ECPs, ICPs and CCPs to complete an online, anonymous survey about their experiences as a woman in paramedicine in New Zealand.

Women in Emergencies: Online Volunteer Spotlight Series 

AWE NZ was pleased to host the first two Women in Emergencies: Volunteer spotlight sessions in collaboration with New Zealand Response Teams and Taskforce Kiwi. It was inspiring to hear from panellists Emilia Stocks, Kate Unwin, Jennifer Chaddock, Frankie Karnohan, Laura Burke, and Sam Blackmore who discussed accreditation and the capabilities of various teams, motivations for volunteering, and challenges they encountered along the way. Key highlights included the value of a “just do it” attitude, being part of a team, and the surprising amount of soft skills they’ve gained.

The second fortnightly session was also invigorating, where we heard from Taskforce Kiwi panellists Tess Langworthy, Katie Seabrook, Ash McBride, Gina Eccersall, and Mattie Beattie who talked about providing disaster relief when other relief isn’t available, their volunteering journeys, and favourite deployments. Standouts included the value of ear plugs and baby wipes on deployment and the value of proper training and  accreditations. Apparently “having used a chainsaw at your uncle’s farm” just doesn’t cut it!

Thank you to our panellists, Liz Smith (NEMA NZ-RT Secretariate) and Michelle Gillman (TFK National Volunteer Manager), and attendees, for supporting these events. Missed a session? You can watch the recordings on AWE’s Youtube channel here.

In our third and fourth spotlight sessions hear from New Zealand Red Cross and Fire and Emergency New Zealand volunteers. We’ll be diving deeper into these organisations’ amazing women volunteers every fortnight until 3 October. These free sessions will be recorded and available to registrants afterwards. Book now.


AWE NZ Wellington Breakfast – first Tuesday of every month

7.30am Tuesday 1 October
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 16 October.

Everybody is welcome! Register here

News and resources:

  • Climate change transforming Pacific islands: The World Meteorological Association says that accelerating sea level rise, ocean warming and acidification is imperilling Pacific Islands, which face growing threats to their socioeconomic viability and indeed their very existence because of climate change.  
  • Growing threats to Pacific nations: UN secretary-general António Guterres warns that Pacific nations are facing growing threats to their existence from the effects of climate change, and calls on major economies like Australia to take the lead on cutting carbon emissions and supporting vulnerable countries.
  • Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting: The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting was hosted by Tonga last week.

 


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

 

 

 

Change of date – the next climate chapter meeting will now take place on Wednesday 2 October at 12pm AEST. This month we are doing a version of book club where we are asking members to read a climate related article or paper or podcast and come to the meeting to chat about it. We will also do our regular climate action update in 10 where we look at what the big climate news, good and bad, has been in the headlines for the last month. Please contact Amanda with any queries.


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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disaster resilience without burning out
This webinar from the Australian Disaster Resilience Network explores how to identify the symptoms of compassion fatigue and practice self-care so that we can be our best in the support we offer others when working in disasters. Free.


Recovery Uncovered
This webinar series from Australian Red Cross and AIDR 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 and gain valuable insights, evidence and tools to enhance recovery practice. Free.


Writing for disasters
Disastrous Writing is a 2-day event bringing together policy makers, practitioners and researchers who all need some time to write. Over the two days intensive writing sessions will be interspersed with opportunities to meet colleagues to help build possible future collaborations. 14-15 October in Sydney, and 28-29 October in Melbourne. $10.


 

 

 

Sector news and resources

 

 

 

EmergencyRedi Week: 16-22 September is EmergencyRedi Week, an Australian Red Cross initiative to raise awareness and encourage Australians to get prepared for emergencies. Emergencies can strike at anytime, anywhere and without warning. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense, you can protect yourself, the people you love and the things you value most by being prepared: redcross.org.au/prepare 


Community-centred disaster recovery: A new program from the University of New South Wales, HowWeSurvive, is a long-term, independently funded initiative that aims to change the way community-centred disaster recovery efforts are enacted and understood.


Insurance resilience report: This report, the fourth in a series from the Insurance Council of Australia, examines a catastrophe season that was marked by four major weather events, almost 157,000 claims and $2.2 billion in insured losses


Multicultural communities in disaster: FECCA’s 2024 conference Our experiences. Our future. will include presentations in the following streams: An Inclusive Response to Climate Change and Building Disaster Resilience.


National Drowning Report 2024: The latest drowning report shows that there were 323 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, 16 per cent higher than the ten-year average (278). Older people, people born overseas, and males make up a disproportionate number of drowning deaths.


National Strategy for Volunteering: Action Plan 2024-2027 is the first three-year Action Plan of the National Strategy for Volunteering 2023-33. It outlines a set of co-designed actions designed to address priorities for National Strategy implementation


Prepared communities: The City of Melbourne has produced a new range of information and resources to help communities be better prepared for emergencies. Tell the City of Melbourne what you think of their resources by 15 September.


Senate Committee on Australia’s Disaster Resilience: This report provides views and recommendations on climate and disasters, disaster resilience, volunteerism and the role of the ADF and other response models.


Triple Zero Kids’ Challenge: This challenge provides children with knowledge and skills, through game play and mystery challenges. The game consists of several quests that address a range of emergency situations, including medical emergencies, major accidents, house fires, bushfires, serious crimes and suspicious behaviours. Great for the school holidays!


USA national heat strategy: The USA has released a National Heat Strategy aiming to reduce heat-related impacts by building a societal understanding of heat risks, developing science-based solutions, and improving capacity, communications, and decision-making to ensure a thriving, heat-resilient nation


Water safety in Victoria: IGEM Victoria has released its report into water safety in Victoria, assessing whether current water safety arrangements are suitable and making recommendations for improvement.


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
ACTSES Membership Officer, Justice and Community Safety Directorate
ACTSES Learning and Development Coordinator, Justice and Community Safety Directorate


NSW
Flood Rescue and Operations Coordinator, Clerk Grade 7/8, State Emergency Service
Manager Command Business & Assurance (Metro North), Fire & Rescue NSW


QLD
Principal Disaster Recovery Officer, City of Moreton Bay
Operations Capability Coordinator (RFSO2) Cairns, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services


SA
Manager Grant Programs, SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission
Regional Training Delivery Officer, SA Country Fire Service


TAS
Disaster Relief Team Manager, Disaster Relief Australia
Coordinator Fire & Biodiversity Operations, Hobart City Council


VIC
Emergency Management Coordinator, East Gippsland Shire Council
Project Manager – Operating Model, Country Fire Authority


WA
Emergency Management Officer, Shire of Dardanup
Coordinator Emergency Services, Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale


NZ
Principal Advisor Emergency Management, Wellington, Ministry of Health NZ,
Emergency Management Advisor – Local Welfare Lead, Selwyn District Council
Senior Policy Adviser – Resilience & Security, Wellington, Ministry of Transport

 

 

 

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.

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

8 October                    AWE 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.

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!)

18-20 June                  Natural Hazards Research Forum 2025


 

 

 

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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To become an AWE member, please click here.

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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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