2023 Resilient Villages Conference
Pru Jobling, member of the Megalong Valley Community and Landowners Association (centre) sits on a panel with Kat Boehringer (ABCD Inc) - second from right), Valerie Ingham (Charles Sturt University - far right), Elly Bird (Resilient Lismore - centre left) and Carol Hopkins (MADRA - far left)
THE NEED
As with any professional industry, having opportunities to make new contacts, share learnings and broaden your knowledge is a crucial part of ensuring the health and longevity of your sector. The community sector is no different and connecting representatives and leaders from different communities around NSW and beyond is one of primary objectives of the Resilient Villages project.
THE PROJECT
In February 2023 the Resilient Villages Conference was held at the Fairmont Resort in Leura in the Upper Blue Mountains.
The conference was MCed by Dr Kate Brady, presenter of the ABC podcast 'After the Disaster' and it featured the keynote speakers, Carol Hopkins, Chair of MADRA (Mallacoota & Districts Recovery Association) and Elly Bird, Executive Director of Resilient Lismore and Councillor on Lismore City Council.
Attendees came from many parts of NSW to attend, including from the Central Western town of Eugowra which had only recently suffered the effects of catastrophic flash flooding in November 2022.
Dr Kate Brady did a stellar job as conference MC as she introduced the keynote speakers, took questions from the audience and chaired panel discussions on topics such as ‘Sustainable Community Leadership’ and ‘Supporting Community Led Resilience’.
Conference attendees (left to right) Laurie Facer, Elly Bird, Carol Hopkins, Kris Newton, Susan Templeman MP, Dr Kate Brady.
Blue Mountains State and Federal MPs Trish Doyle MP and Susan Templeman MP also attended the conference and shared their own personal stories of the struggles that they, and their communities have faced in times of crisis.
KEY INFORMATION
The Resilient Villages Conference which was held at the Fairmont Resort in Leura on the weekend of February 11 and 12, 2023. Watch the conference highlights video here.
STAKEHOLDERS
Mountains Community Resource Network
Blue Mountains community sector workers
Blue Mountains residents and community leaders
Fairmont Resort
Blue Mountains State MP, Trish Doyle MP
Blue Mountains Federal MP, Susan Templeman
FUNDERS
Resilient Villages
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