Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education
In the face of more frequent and severe fires, floods, cyclones and other natural hazards, it's crucial that communities across Australia build resilience and reduce their disaster risk to better withstand future impacts.
Now in its 22nd year, the Resilient Australia Awards celebrate and promote initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies, as well as images capturing resilience in action.
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the Liberal and Nationals Government invests heavily in helping communities be better prepared for and more resilient to the risks and impacts of natural hazards.
"The Resilient Australia Awards are an important opportunity for us to reward and shine a light on individuals, organisations and communities who are committed to minimising the loss and suffering caused by disasters in Australia," Minister McKenzie said.
"Spanning wellbeing and support services, community-led resilience activities, inclusive approaches to disaster preparedness and risk reduction, and hazard education for children and youth, the 2021 national finalists represent the breadth and diversity of the efforts underway across Australia to support communities before, during and after disaster.
"All finalists are unsung heroes who consistently strive to make our communities more resilient and safer and deserve equal commendation and recognition.
"We all have a role to play in the vision of a more resilient nation, and our collective efforts will lead to much better outcomes for Australians individually and the country as a whole.
"Congratulations to this year's finalists and thank you for leading the way with resilience - for helping to shift the conversation from not just being great at cleaning up after disasters but to ensuring our communities are better prepared, well before disaster strikes."
The Resilient Australia Awards are proudly sponsored by the Australian Government in partnership with the states and territories and managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR).
AIDR Executive Director Amanda Leck said it was very tough to pick the finalists.
"Every year we receive an outstanding selection of submissions to the Resilient Australia Awards. Each submission responds to the needs and experiences of their community, and collectively they progress us toward a safer and more resilient Australia," Ms Leck said.
"I thank everyone who has participated in this year's program and congratulate those who have been selected as our national Resilient Australia Award finalists for 2021."
There was a record number of submissions for this year's award program, with 47 state and territory winners now in the running for the national awards across six categories: National, School, Local Government, Community, Photography, and for the first time, Mental Health and Wellbeing.
