Baw Baw Shire Council is proud to be working alongside the Australian Red Cross to help build disaster resilience in local children.
The Resilient Kids Initiative brings fun and interactive workshops to local primary schools, using games and activities to teach children how to recognise emergency services workers, call 000, and use breathing techniques to stay calm.
Children in senior grades are also taught how to create an emergency kit using a Red Cross Pillowcase, which they are able to decorate and take home to show their families.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson, is thrilled to see many local schools taking up the opportunity to share these workshops with their students.
"The Resilient Kids Initiative is a vital program for the Baw Baw Shire," she said.
"It addresses the need to support and encourage disaster resilience in the youngest members of our community and adopts an 'all hazards' approach to help prepare them for any future emergencies.
"So far we have delivered the program to more than 300 local kids at Bona Vista, Nilma, Tanjil South and Trafalgar primary schools."
As extreme weather events continue to impact our communities, young people may have questions or worries about what to do if there is a storm, heavy rainfall, high winds or fire danger.
These workshops are designed to educate children on how to prepare for and respond to an emergency and encourage further conversations with parents, teachers and caregivers.
This free program will be offered throughout 2026.
Interested schools are encouraged to visit Baw Baw Shire Council's website, www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/resilientkids
