East Gippsland Shire Council is proud to announce that Lucy Kaiser (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha), an emergency management specialist and researcher from the New Zealand Māori Disaster Research Centre, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Rising Strong: East Gippsland's Path to Community Resilience Forum on Friday 6 June.
Now in its second year, Rising Strong brings together community members, local organisations, and emergency management agencies to reflect on East Gippsland's ongoing recovery from the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. This year marks a poignant five-year milestone in that journey.
To ensure all East Gippsland residents, including those in our more remote and rural areas, can take part in these important conversations, the 2025 Forum will also be livestreamed.
Community members unable to attend in person are warmly invited to register for the online broadcast and join us virtually in a shared spirit of learning, reflection, and connection.
Ms Kaiser's keynote will explore community-led approaches to disaster resilience and culturally responsive emergency management, drawing on her work following the 2010 Christchurch earthquake and her current PhD research. She brings both national and international experience in disaster risk reduction, with a deep commitment to empowering communities.
East Gippsland Shire Mayor John White said the forum offers an opportunity to both reflect and plan.
"It is important that we continue to connect, share and grow as a community, especially as we mark five years since the Black Summer bushfires," said John.
"Ms. Kaiser's experience reminds us that we are not alone in our recovery journey, and her insights into community-led resilience and recovery will be invaluable."
An inspiring line-up of panellists and speakers will feature across three thought-provoking panel sessions and a keynote address, focusing on the shared experiences and lessons from East Gippsland's recovery, as well as strategies for future preparedness.
Panel speakers include:
- Jodie Simpson - Person-Centred Emergency Planning (P-CEP)
- Gab Moore - Sailors Grave Brewing and Dunetown
- Pete Williams - DisasterWise, advocate for community-led recovery
- Irene Birt - Cann Valley District Representative Group
- Katherine Argentino - Gippsland Community Legal Service
- Matt Russell - Emergency Recovery Victoria, Aboriginal Culture and Healing Unit
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Key discussion topics:
- Community preparedness and connectedness
- Mental health, delayed trauma, and healthcare
- Economic resilience and diversification
- Bushfire preparedness for vulnerable persons
- Sustainable futures
- Indigenous community resilience
- Progressive agriculture
- Complexities in long-term recovery
The event will be hosted by award-winning journalist and broadcaster Tracee Hutchison, who will MC the day and share her own experiences supporting East Gippsland's recovery. Hutchison was instrumental in developing sector-first trauma literacy and resilience training for local radio stations impacted by the Black Summer fires.
Let's connect, collaborate, and continue rising - stronger than ever.
Event details
Date: Friday, 6 June 2025
Time: 10.00 am - 3.30 pm
Venue: The Forge Theatre and Arts Hub, 80 McKean St, Bairnsdale
Cost: Free (includes light lunch)
Bookings essential - choose your way to attend:
Attend in person: trybooking.com/DAZAG
Join us online: trybooking.com/DCDUD
