About Communities First

Nillumbik Shire Council has received funding from the State Government ‘Safer Together’ program to facilitate community led bushfire preparedness with Nillumbik’s rural communities. The Communities First Project aims to support and strengthen existing community bushfire preparedness initiatives, while looking for new opportunities to collaborate with community members and agencies to ensure we are well prepared when bushfires occur in our Shire.

To learn more about the project visit Council's website here.

About the Webinar

Council is hosting a series of webinars, with presenters from various areas of expertise, to support Nillumbik communities to prepare for bushfire and build community resilience. 'Bushfire, Art and Mental Health' is the third webinar in the series and will be presented by local artist Amanda Grant and clinical psychologist Dr Rob Gordon. Amanda will share her stories from facilitating creative projects with bushfire affected communities, including her role in project managing the Blacksmiths' Tree in Strathewen after the events of Black Saturday 2009. Dr Robert Gordon is a specialises in the clinical treatment of trauma and educating affected people in understanding and managing the stresses of recovery.

Register your question for Amanda Grant or Dr Rob Gordon

If you have any topics or questions you would like Amanda or Rob to be included in the webinar, please contact Emergency Project Resilience Officer, Edwina at edwina.moran@nillumbik.vic.gov.au by Friday 20 November.

Get involved with Communities First

In recognition of the importance of local knowledge and experience, Emergency Project & Resilience Officer (EPRO), Edwina Moran is undertaking community conversations with rural residents, businesses, community groups and organisations. If you’re a community member, represent a community group, have seen community bushfire preparedness in action or have an idea you would like Council to know about, please register for a conversation via this link