2016 Resilient Australia Awards

National Award

Sunshine Coast Council Disaster Hub
Sunshine Coast Council

Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) was recognised for the development of an innovative disaster hub that delivers real-time information on disasters to reduce public risk. The SCC Disaster Hub gathers intelligence from numerous sources to improve decision making for the council, first-response agencies and community members. The disaster information is accessible from any internet-connected device.

Highly commended

Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village Disaster Preparedness
Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village

A large complex comprising more than 450 detached homes and duplexes, Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village lost power for seven days when tropical cyclone Yasi hit in 2011. Carlyle Gardens was highly commended in the 2016 awards for the establishment of a disaster management group to assist the 700-strong community to prepare, respond to, and recover from cyclones and other disasters. 

Keep Cool in Yarra campaign
Yarra City Council

The campaign was developed to reduce the vulnerability to heatwaves of its culturally and linguistically diverse residents. Keep Cool in Yarra was targeted at the municipality's migrant communities living in social and public housing around Collingwood. 

National School Award

Anglesea Fire Education Partnership Survive and Thrive Program
Anglesea Primary School

Developed through the school's partnership with the local fire brigade, the program empowers students with knowledge of bushfire behaviour. It also encourages students to lead community-based bushfire education with the aim of driving generational change and increasing community resilience. 

National Photography Award

'Bob Jeacocke, SES'
Karin Calvert

Albany-based photographer, Karin Calvert covered the devastating event for Getty and Associated Press. A year later she returned to mark the anniversary. The first portrait she took was of then 73-year-old Bob Jeacocke. Bob is a Yeppoon resident and SES volunteer of over 42 years whom Calvert says epitomises resilience.