Building Safer Communities Together

Community members from Lindenow, Flaggy Creek, Glenaladale, Fernbank, Hillside and Lindenow South came together to strengthen local emergency preparedness and help shape a Community Emergency Management Plan.

Key outcomes from the day:

• Local people identified the emergency risks that matter most to their communities, including bushfire, flood and severe weather.
• Community knowledge and lived experience were captured to help inform practical preparedness actions.
• Stronger connections were built between community members, creating networks that can provide support before, during and after emergencies.
• Participants worked towards a community-owned plan that will help people know where to get information, who may need assistance, and how communities can work together in times of crisis.
• The workshop increased local capacity to prepare for emergencies and support vulnerable residents when they need it most.

Why this matters

When communities are connected, informed and prepared, people are safer. By bringing local knowledge together and planning ahead, communities are better equipped to:

• Protect lives and wellbeing.
• Check in on neighbours and vulnerable community members.
• Respond more effectively during emergencies.
• Recover more quickly after an event.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, experience and commitment to making their community safer.

A special thank you to ABV Skilled Business Professionals Petrina Yates and Andrew, who generously volunteered their time and expertise to support the workshop. Petrina and Andrew facilitated group discussions and workshop sessions, helping participants explore Community Emergency Management Planning and identify practical ways to strengthen local disaster preparedness.

Image, L to R, Natscha Wernick ABV, Andrew Champion Volunteer, Michelle Shaw, ABV & Petrina Yates, Volunteer

Andrew brought extensive experience in social research, program evaluation and strategy, having led more than 100 research and consulting projects across sectors including transport, defence, health, disability and human services. His expertise in community engagement, stakeholder consultation and translating complex information into practical action helped guide discussions that captured local knowledge, experiences and priorities, ensuring they could be incorporated into community emergency planning.

With almost three decades of experience in social work, Petrina Yates brought valuable expertise in counselling, disaster response and recovery, volunteer wellbeing, and trauma-informed practice. Her experience in critical incident support, Psychological First Aid and emergency services volunteering, combined with her calm leadership and practical, solution-focused approach, helped create a supportive environment where participants could confidently share experiences, build connections and contribute to planning for safer, more resilient communities.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the ABV team, Country Fire Authority (CFA) representatives, SES, Red Cross and East Gippsland Shire Council for their ongoing collaboration, support and commitment to helping local communities build resilience, strengthen preparedness and improve community safety before, during and after emergencies.

All support is provided at no cost, funded through the Disaster Ready Fund, supported by the Australian and Victorian governments.

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