Appointed to support Australian Business Volunteers’ Resilient Regions economic disaster resilience program with the fire-affected East Gippsland community of Buchan late last year.
Mike Sewell, who has been extremely generious with his time and expertise, says he’s in for the long haul.
“One of the first things I do when I get involved in a project is getting an understanding of what is happening, and what is needed,” the Victorian local, and business and banking professional says. This respectful approach is so important as it builds trust with communities to support effective and collaborative projects that strengthens economic and disaster resilience.
“I initially attended a Town Hall meeting with all key groups in the community, where there were some 30 initiatives on the go, and no shortage of enthusiasm and ideas,” Mike adds.
“As an outsider, I can ask, what are the most important things to focus on right now? What are the priorities, and how can we develop a strategic plan that reflects that.”
While supporting the Buchan Gelatipy and District Renewal Association to drive place-based solutions to build back better following the devastating impact of the 2019/2020 bushfires, this work with fire-affected communities is nothing new to Mike.
Since 2009, Mike supported accounting accreditation organisation CPA Australia to establish and conduct proactive engagement with bushfire affected communities across Victoria.
“The Tuesday after the Black Saturday fires, we worked to support communities to reconstruct and put some of the pieces back together,” Mike explains in his then role as President of CPA Victoria.
Within two to three weeks, Mike was supporting this significant accreditation and member organisation to conduct town halls with partners and guide on measures to restore business reporting, backups and make critical business decisions going forward.
“Business might be faceless at the big end of town, but at the small end of town where I operate, that’s not faceless,” Mike explains describing the hard conversations he had with local business owners navigating the loss of livelihood and when to draw the line at putting people’s wages on personal credit cards.
“It’s hard not to get emotionally engaged when you do this work. Everything was burnt and with the devastation that fires cause, it’s common for people to just close-up shop altogether and move on with their lives.”
The community spirit and local determination in the small town of Buchan to generate new sources of income and revitalise the economic landscape, is something to behold, Mike says.
“There is so much that the town can achieve. One hour off the main highway on route to Lakes Entrance, there’s a lot that Buchan can offer as a tourist destination.”
Noting the First Nations people’s connection to Country, prehistoric megafauna and environmental sites, historic trade-route from the Snowy Mountains during settlement, Mike details notable historic attractions that the community seeks to celebrate and engage key players like Museum Victoria in.
“My role is filling in the dots, and providing a sounding board to local groups on what they want to achieve so that everyone wins.”
Growing up in regional Victoria and Alice Springs, and with a long career of supporting the development of successful local businesses, this work is something close to Mike’s heart and comes naturally.
“Unless there’s a bit of heart in it, you won’t look for the best answer,” Mike says. “I’m still active and working, and at some point I won't be. My feeling is, while you can share your skills, do.”
It might be three to four hours of someone’s time, but he says that can make all the difference.
“I might have two left hands, but I know how money works, I know how to grow successful businesses, and I can help coordinate a large group of people for general agreement.”
ABV is pleased to support communities like Buchan through the Resilient Regions program implemented in collaboration with local government, community groups and organisations, to help Victoria’s Gippsland region prepare for future severe weather events.
The Resilient Regions program is supported by the Australian and Victorian Governments.
