So this is what your research is all about

I have said this before, but I get asked a lot about what my research is all about. I can answer that in a sentence: 'I am looking at the contributions NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers make to student learning in Years 5 and 6.' But it is good to be able to tell a …

So, what are you researching again?

So, what are you researching again? I get this question a lot, usually after I have just given my new friend the one sentence version of my work - which goes something like this: … I am looking at the contribution of NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer fire-fighters to student learning about bushfires in Years …

Back at ACEFA: talking with young people like it matters

It was nice to be back with old and new friends this last weekend at the ACEFA 2022 Conference at Newcastle. Having been involved to varying degrees in the organisation of every ACEFA since 2008 it certainly was nice to take a somewhat independent and back seat role. That is, apart from two things. Firstly, …

A published author at last!

Having now retired from the NSW Rural Fire Service coming up to two years ago, my voice in the emergency management space may not be as loud as before. The reduced opportunities for industry networking and social events across the COVID period has also had an impact developing my new persona as an 'early career …

Strategic Plan for Children and Young People launched

The NSW Strategic Plan for Children and Young People 2022-2024 launched today is a great read and a strong example of genuine co-design with children and young people. There are many lessons here I think for agencies and organisations in genuinely using the voices of C & YP to inform development of strategies and actions …

You may well ask how my research is progressing!

I have been on my PhD journey at Central Queensland University (CQU) for a few years now, disrupted firstly and significantly by my brain aneurysm this time in 2019. Now COVID impacts and restrictions means the bush fire unit of study at my case school has been cancelled for 2021, so data collection will not …

Using experts in Primary School classrooms

I recently presented a professional learning session for the Geography Teachers Association of NSW & ACT on natural hazards which resulted from many productive discussions with the GTA leadership in my time at the NSW Rural Fire Service. By the time the session came around I had just retired from the NSW Rural Fire Service …

Working group for a new Disaster Resilience Education for Young People Handbook

Are you a NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer working with schools? A teacher? or both? The Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience (AIDR) is looking for working group nominations for a new handbook Disaster Resilience Education for Young People that will explore principles and good practice for disaster resilience education. AIDR is currently seeking expressions of …

Clearing out my desk at NSW Rural Fire Service

Hello friends, Friday 29 May 2020 will be my last day with the Community Engagement Team at NSW Rural Fire Service HQ. During this time of COVD-19 I am fortunate to be able to retire from the workforce on my own terms after 12 years at the RFS and 25 years prior to that in …

Our World Our Say – Young people can have a say on disaster risk reduction

It is pretty clear that the 2019/2020 bush fire season has been unprecedented in its direct impacts on individuals and families, properties and the environment. Children and youth want to be part of discussions and development of solutions. Children and youth can make a difference in an uncertain and unpredictable world. As the NSW RFS …