As extreme fire danger continues across Victoria today with bushfires in the Grampians burning out of control, we know only too well the very real displacement and devastation that is once again, knocking on people's doors. 

Our team at ABV has worked with communities across Victoria and the Eastern seaboard who have long experienced the first-hand impacts of devastating fires and severe natural disasters, from Gippsland north into NSW and beyond.

These communities have faced ravaged natural habitats, the loss of wildlife, people's livelihoods and businesses, homes, memories and whole communities as people and their families are forced to relocate and in many cases, simply start again. 

Working alongside Deakin University in our Victoria Resilient Region program last year and forging a community-led disaster resilience model with Monash University's Fire to Flourish program through strong partnerships across the Eastern seaboard, we know just what can be achieved when we come together, build on local connection and put community-led action plans at the heart of our response. 

Too often, the value and contribution that community collaboration and innovative solutions can make to improving our resilience and recovery are completely forgotten when the flames are high and the heat is already on. In reality there is far more we can do to get our ducks in a row long before the fire or flood strikes. 

Economic modelling with our partner Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program has revealed that for every $1 invested in community-led resilience will save $6 to $15 in future recovery and rebuilding costs. That's homes saved, businesses and livelihoods protected, and families able to withstand the fire and live in place together. 

In Australia, like many countries, there continues to be an over-emphasis on post-disaster response over local-community resilience and prevention. As we contend with increasing severe and frequent uncontrolled bushfires, floods, storms and landslides this short-sighted approach is simply unsustainable, and in short, it’s leaving our communities at risk.

At ABV we are incredibly proud of working with partners across the field to unlock the strength and innovation of local communities to mitigate impact and prevent devastation in disaster prone regions. We know that resilience can only be achieved through combined efforts across sectors and the community working together, and will continue to ensure it gets the support and attention it needs now and in the years to come.

As we head into the end of the year, we invariably start thinking about who our tribe is - our family that we're born to, the family we create, the networks and people that have become our tribe...

Who do you turn to in times of need and celebration? Who are your community?

The term "neighbourhood" feels very different from what I remember from my childhood. An increasingly digital world means we are more connected than ever-- yet somehow, we sometimes lose touch with our immediate community.

Those around us in our neighborhoods will be the people we turn to in times of emergency. A severe weather event can cut off power, telecommunications and access. We will need those around us.

How do we strengthen these ties?

The academics might call this "social capital" or "cohesion", but we call it something easier to remember - small sparks.

Saying hello to a neighbour and talking about the shared garden. Small spark.
Asking your favourite barista's name. Small spark.
Volunteering at a local event. Small spark.
Visiting your local library and chatting about the latest community event. Small spark.
Connecting to a club in your area. Small spark.

You get the idea.

Small sparks can ignite stronger bonds when the time comes.

You might need to step up for your community in an emergency, and these connections you've made will become crucial.

I think that’s pretty powerful.

As we all prepare for the end of year holidays, let’s take a moment to pause, and think about who our local support network is within our community.

What small sparks will you put into your day?

As Queenslanders turn their hand to preparations for the upcoming natural disaster season, Country to Coast, QLD and Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) are celebrating a $3.8 million boost for the three-year Resilient Care Program, received from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) through the Disaster Ready Fund.

Country to Coast, QLD Chief Executive Julie Sturgess said the Resilient Care Program aims to reduce the negative health impacts of natural disasters in four local government areas across Wide Bay and Central Queensland. These areas were chosen for their unique community strengths and the high prevalence of natural disasters, with the program leveraging the communities' strong networks, adaptability, and local knowledge to boost resilience. By integrating community-led primary health support into existing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery phases, the program ensures that communities are at the centre of shaping their climate-readiness journey.

‘Residents in the Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, and Livingstone areas are no stranger to natural disasters and have shown incredible strength in recent years through repeated disaster events, including tropical cyclones, widespread flooding and devastating bushfires,’ said Ms Sturgess.

‘The impacts of these events on property and infrastructure are well known, but many people also face significant disruption to their health due to natural disasters, particularly for vulnerable populations whose health is already compromised or who face barriers in accessing healthcare services.

‘Building community connections is at the core of the Resilient Care Program, as communities with strong social connections cope better with the shocks and stresses of extreme events and recover more quickly, which supports better health outcomes overall,’ said Ms Sturgess.

‘Over the next three years, Resilient Care will tap into under-utilised community resources, such as neighbourhood centres, community groups, local businesses, and primary health providers such as GPs and pharmacies, to integrate these skills and assets into existing disaster management efforts.

ABV Chief Executive Officer Liz Mackinlay said ABV was delighted to partner with Country to Coast, QLD, and bring their wealth of experience in community-led disaster resilience building.

‘Our team is ready to facilitate important conversations and bring specialised support from our network of business volunteers alongside community projects in Queensland,’ said Ms McKinlay.  

As the lead agency for Resilient Care, Country to Coast, QLD will build on existing partnerships with community leaders and organisations, local governments, health and hospital services, primary healthcare providers, and emergency services in the target local government areas to develop a whole-of-community response.  

Mr Sturgess said project partners will collaborate in early 2025 to facilitate a community-led health resilience assessment, identifying specific actions that strengthen a local response to extreme events.

‘While we can’t predict specific priorities that any community will choose, potential actions could include a community-led senior buddy system, where older adults are paired with younger, more physically capable individuals who can help them during emergencies; or cultural competency training for emergency responders and healthcare professionals to promote cultural sensitivity during a disaster response,’ said Ms Sturgess.

‘Other examples could be training in mental health first aid for community groups, so they can better support those struggling with the impacts of disaster events, or financial literacy programs to help individuals and families better prepare for and recover from financial challenges associated with disasters,’ said Ms Sturgess.   

‘The key thing is that this is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. We are excited to tap into local knowledge and innovation and to support each community in creating their own tailored resilience-building approach,’ said Ms Sturgess.

Ms Sturgess said the insights and lessons learned from Resilient Care would be available to the rest of the country, providing a blueprint for other agencies and community organisations to better protect their communities in the face of climate change impacts.

‘In the interim, though, as we approach the summer natural disaster season, I urge all residents to make sure they are well-prepared with a household emergency plan, emergency kit and important medications within reach,’ said Ms Sturgess.

Visit Get Ready Queensland at www.getready.qld.gov.au for more information about preparing for natural disasters.

We’re excited to announce that our Community-Led Disaster Resilience Model has won a prestigious Good Design Australia Award in the Social Impact category!

Recognised for its innovative approach to disaster preparedness, our model empowers communities to lead in the face of climate challenges.

This accolade celebrates our commitment to sustainable, community-led solutions.

A huge thank you to our dedicated team and partners—this win is for you!

We are in Sarsfield, Victoria celebrating the official launch of our Resilient Regions program.



Continuing on the work we have done in NSW, over the next three years, we’ll work with communities’ businesses through workshops, building networks, and provide access to 150+ skilled volunteers.


Our volunteers range from marketers and strategists to engineers and are here to help find solutions and map business plans for sustainable economic growth.

Partnering with Deakin University, along the journey we’ll gather insights to understand how business and skilled volunteering strengthen community resilience.

This program is jointly funded by the Victorian Government through the Disaster Ready Fund and ABV.

See all photos here

We aren't ready.

We aren't ready enough for another massive fire or flood event.

Many Australians echo this sentiment.

During the 2019-2020 fires, 80% of the country was affected by smoke, drastically reducing air quality.

Living in a city doesn't exclude you from risk.

Four hundred fifty people (according to the CSIRO) are estimated to have died of smoke inhalation and effects after the fires, and we won't know the long-term impacts of this for many years to come.

This isn't someone else's problem.

But there is hope.

Our consultations with the community show how many grassroots projects are standing up to solve complex issues with localised energy grids, food banks, portable solar stations, and so much more.

Funding for recovery seems limited to 3-year cycles, which is not long enough to support these incredible grassroots projects, so despite the ingenuity and persistence of community groups, they are at risk of folding.
We must not ignore or under fund these projects.

They are critical for maintaining and building social cohesion and in the next weather event.

Their importance cannot be overstated.

The time for resourcing these initiatives is now.

#HowWeSurvive

What an incredible journey through East Gippsland Shire!

ABV team George Barrett and Neil Smith travelled an area of 20,940 kilometres with Assoc. Professor Maxine Kelly from Deakin University to meet with community stakeholders as part of our Victoria program's engagement.

Being community-led means before we can work in a community, we first need to understand the landscape, ask what is needed, and then sit and listen. Once we have a deep understanding, we can bring our resources where they will work best.

It was great to see some familiar faces of people we had previously connected with while working in Victoria. Authentic relationships are how we build trust, which is essential for our support to work.

The team met with representatives from Swifts Creek Community Centre, Wairewa Hall, Gippsland Shire Council, Future of Orbost & District, Benambra Community Neighbourhood House, Omeo and Lakes Entrance.

Each town we visited presented its unique set of challenges and strengths, but what was truly inspiring was the shared spirit of resilience and innovation. This unity in diversity is a powerful reminder of the incredible potential within our regional communities.

Our team feel privileged to have witnessed this firsthand and are excited about the future of these communities.

Neil and George are pictured at the community BBQ with Louise Oswald from the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Maxine Kelly from Deakin University (Resilient Regions Program Partner).

Key program highlights and impact numbers from our NSW Program which has ended after 22 months of supporting the communities in the Snowy Valleys and the South Coast of NSW.

ABV is exploring how to continue supporting NSW communities. We have helped community organisations with business plans, sustainability scoping and disaster preparedness.

Volunteer Hours

Program Highlights

Expanding on the success of this program in New South Wales, we are now turning our attention to the East Gippsland region of Victoria to determine where our business support would be most beneficial. The community of East Gippsland was heavily impacted by the 2020 fires and continues to endure the ongoing effects of the disaster.

The Program was jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments through the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF)

Roadshow Video Recap

We are thrilled to announce our Resilient Regions program.

Collaborating with Deakin University we are engaging in Victoria’s Gippsland region to help prepare the community for future severe weather events.

Jointly funded by the Victorian Government under the flagship Disaster Ready Fund, the program reduces risk exposure for businesses and builds community resilience.

Over three years, we will facilitate workshops and community meetings and bring 150+ skilled volunteers alongside to build capacity of small business and community organisations.

Deakin University is working with us to build a research piece on the collaboration between communities and the business sector.

Our team is already on the ground engaging with agencies and community organisations to scope out where our skilled volunteers and networks can provide extra support.



"ABV are like a breath of fresh air. Most people just stay on the highway and don't stop. It's incredible that ABV actually came here." Community Member Tristan Hennessey, Nowa Nowa.


Media and Key Links

Government Announcement

Victorian Country Hour - ABC listen (at 7 minutes)

National Tribune

WIN News Segment on Launch

ABV Resilient Regions – Capable Communities implementation team L – R: George Barrett (Senior Program Manager, Gippsland), Natascha Wernick (Program Facilitator), Naomi Toole (General Manager), Oscar Mussons (Program Director, Australia), Yujin Lee (Program Officer), Neil Smith (Program Coordinator, Gippsland)

View all photos from the launch here

Launch Video

The ABV Capable Communities Program has ended after 22 months of supporting the communities in the Snowy Valley and the South Coast of NSW.

To honour the dedication of our community partners, collect feedback, and hand over the community projects to the funder, Reconstruction Authority, the team at ABV hit the road for a six-day roadshow to meet with those we've worked with for one last time.

Over the last 22 months, our skilled business volunteers and expert staff have supported community organisations with business plans, sustainability scoping and disaster preparedness.

Image: ABV Team, Nat and George with Reconstruction Authority rep Bryan Smith.

These are areas that were heavily affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires; the trauma of that time is still held by the residents today.

The first day of the roadshow was spent in Tumbarumba, on the southwest slopes of the Snowy Mountains. In this community, our team worked with the Chamber of Commerce to build its business capacity and assigned volunteers to support several businesses and not-for-profits.

The second stop was Aruluen. It was a chilly -2 morning under the dramatic ranges that hold the valley. Four years after the fires, you can still see the scars on the mountains where it surrounded the town. Our volunteers assisted the Araluen Federal Hall Association develop a marketing plan after their rebuild. The hall has become a community hub, hosting movie nights, markets, birthdays, and selling local jams and spreads to fund back into the hall.

Representatives from the Braidwood Business Chamber also attended. ABV led two tourism development workshops to support the communities in creating a tourism corridor between Canberra and the South Coast, positioning Braidwood as a destination rather than just a rest stop on the way through.

The roadshow then hit the South Coast, to connect back in with a few community organisations we've supported, including the Moruya Compost Club, Repurpose for Resilience, and the South Coast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA).

SHASA is currently focusing on adding solar panels to the new Eurobodalla hospital, for which ABV volunteers helped with the feasibility study. These panels would act as a shade for the carpark and power what will be one of the council's largest energy expenses.

The Compost Club was matched with two long-serving volunteers, who acted as their "business brain" to promote sustainable food practices to the community more widely. The team was lucky to visit the composting site and see the operation (and the worms) in action.

The team then visited Repurpose for Resilience, a solar panel recycler and innovator. We were enthusiastically shown solar innovations, including an outdoor table made from a panel. Although our volunteer match wasn't successful, we reconnected to take feedback. We saw the progression of their projects, including a solar truck and a portable power station. Accessible energy is essential in times of disaster when power goes down and services are shut off.

The team took a final site visit to Wallaga Lakes Aboriginal Community, where we worked with engineering firm Arup to help develop another access road to provide a safe way in and out during disasters. Merriman's Local Aboriginal Land Council identified this project as essential, as the community was left to fend for themselves in the fires. We had the privilege of seeing the planned road and other sites inside the reserve.

Our final day was in the seaside community of Eden, where we were lucky enough to have the Mayor and a councillor join the discussion inside the historic log cabin. We led a disaster preparedness workshop in Eden in March 2023, which the community still use today.

Listening to the communities passionately discuss their ongoing priorities had challenging moments but was important in a safe space for sharing. The Reconstruction Authority team attended each of these gatherings to hear what the community had been working on, and it also provided a chance to raise questions.

The ABV team's sadness to be leaving is mixed with anticipation for future collaborations. The roadshow not only marked the end of a chapter but also highlighted the importance of meeting face-to-face and solidifying bonds. ABV believes in the transformative power of community-centred resilience initiatives.

Funding note: The Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

View all Roadshow Photos here.

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