Our families, communities and homes provide us safety, support and a sense of belonging. Knowing how to prepare them for bushfires and storm events is essential, especially when living in high bushfire risk areas like the Yarra Ranges. This seminar takes a holistic approach to bushfire preparation focusing on:

• the key areas of planning, preparation and how individuals can stay informed;
• the role of the Yarra Ranges Council following a disaster event, and what that means in our current COVID normal;
• the importance of connectedness to neighbours and the community, providing examples of how groups can come together;
• the key lessons learned by communities in the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, and;
• the weather smart program, breaking down what this means from a community perspective.

Whether you are an individual or a member of a local community group, charity or not for profit, this is the presentation for you. By the end of this seminar you will have a clear understanding of how to plan and what to do around your property, how warnings and weather information should be interpreted and ways to strengthen the resilience of your community so that should a bushfire event occur, you, your community, family and your property are ready.

Date: Friday March 5th

Time: 1 - 3pm

Place: Main Hall, Olinda Community House, 69-71 Olinda-Monbulk Road

Includes afternoon tea to facilitate community networking opportunities.

About the Speakers

Virginia McCallum: Virginia is a CFA Community Liaison Bushfire Engagement (CLBE) Officer with CFA District 13 which covers the municipal areas of Yarra Ranges, Knox, Maroondah and Manningham. Virginia’s role as a CLBE Officer focuses on the delivery of CFA education and awareness programs and fire safety messages to the community. Virginia has been a CLBE officer with CFA District 13 for 12 years and a CFA volunteer for 16 years.

Kelly Small: Kelly has been working for Yarra Ranges Council on and off for 20 years and lives locally. With experience in the Environment Department supporting Friends of and Landcare Groups before taking on project roles such as working with Steels Creek and Dixons Creek residents after Black Saturday, helping to restore the land. In her current role for 2 years, Kelly's main focus is to work with community groups to build resilience around emergencies.

Mary Farrow: Mary Farrow is the Manager of Emerald Community House (ECH) Inc., Director of the Centre of Resilience and editor of the Emerald Messenger. ECH's strong foundation in community development provides the basis for ECH to help people consider the risks they face, especially from bushfires, storm impact and climate extremes. ECH's approach to building community resilience to disasters is to integrate preparedness and capacity building into its numerous community programs, activities, markets, festivals and services.