Building Resilience Through Collaboration: Insights from AFAC & Disaster Resilience Conferences
In the past couple of months, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting many stakeholders, industry, and communities both locally and nationally in many conferences and workshops. Read on for more reflections from Dr Diana Virkki, Principal Project Manager, Fire Preparedness & Ecology – Healthy Land & Water, on the current state of disaster resilience.
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the combined Australian Disaster Resilience Conference (https://www.aidr.org.au/events/50541) and AFAC Conference and Exhibition in Perth (https://www.afacconference.com.au/), where I joined NRM Regions Australia at a booth in Resilience Lane. The exhibition hall was buzzing with energy, providing a fantastic platform to connect with industry partners and other NRM bodies from across the country. It was especially valuable to compare how programs operate so differently in South-East Queensland compared to Western Australia, and to exchange ideas with such a diverse mix of passionate and committed groups.
Sharing knowledge and commitment to building regional and national diaster resilience with partners.
One of the highlights from the week was a professional development workshop run by the WA Department of Fire & Emergency Services, for fire practitioners who work closely with the community. This workshop, “A Seat at the Table: Exploring Models for Genuine Community Participation in Recovery Decision-Making”, included insights from local governments and community-led organisations, underscoring the importance of tailoring engagement to each community, listening deeply, and involving people well before disaster strikes. Presenters succinctly crystallised what we’ve observed and known in the many years of community engagement, which is that successful recovery often depends on a handful of dedicated individuals who take the time to build trust and lead genuine, inclusive processes.
The workshop concluded with a co-design exercise exploring best-case recovery outcomes across storm, flood, bushfire, and cyclone scenarios. Following these conversations and collaborations, I left the room energised and optimistic about the strength of partnerships across our sector. It’s a privilege to be part of such a committed community, all working towards safer and more resilient futures.
Read more about the outcomes in this post-workshop resource.
By Dr Diana Virkki, Principal Project Manager, Fire Preparedness & Ecology – Healthy Land & Water
