Strathbogie Shire Council chief executive Rachelle Quattrocchi, Churchill Fellow and co-founder/co-chair of the National Infant and Child Disaster Mental Health Advisory Committee Michelle Roberts, Australian Red Cross Victorian state manager Fyowna Norton and Strathbogie Shire’s Mayor Scott Jeffery and Cr Fiona Stevens.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Empowerment was in the air of the packed function room at Fowles Wine as Strathbogie Shire Council celebrated women of the region and spotlighted their efforts in the wake of disaster.
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Strathbogie Shire Mayor Scott Jeffery was the only man in sight during the International Women’s Day event on Friday, March 6.
In his opening remarks, he said the event was about acknowledging the often overlooked role women played in society.
“Today is about recognising the achievements of women in every part of our society — in our communities, our workplaces, our governments and our families,” he said.
“But it’s also a day to reflect on how those achievements are made possible and the role we all play in supporting them.”
He said, in the midst of recovery from the Longwood bushfire, the way in which local women stepped up was inspiring.
“In moments of crisis, it’s so often women who step forward — organising relief, supporting families, checking on the vulnerable, leading recovery efforts and holding communities together,” Cr Jeffery said.
Michelle Roberts, Rachelle Quattrocchi and Fyowna Norton celebrate the women of the region.
Photo by
Billie Davern
The room also heard from guest speakers Michelle Roberts, a Churchill Fellow and co-founder/co-chair of the National Infant and Child Disaster Mental Health Advisory Committee, and Australian Red Cross Victorian state manager Fyowna Norton.
Ms Roberts discussed the sometimes unnoticed work of women in disaster recovery.
“Across Victoria, women have consistently been the invisible first responders in their families and communities, and I wonder why we have to be invisible and not seen, heard or recognised as important in our roles during disasters,” she said.
She said the increase in women serving in disaster recovery and response roles was pivotal to the transformation of emergency management.
“Female representation in emergency leadership has been found to reshape how disasters are managed,” she said.
“Strong female representation is known to improve community engagement, communication clarity, attention to vulnerable populations and a more positive long-term outcome.
“In other words, when women lead, communities recover in different ways and, some would say, more effectively.”
Ms Norton said while women being involved in disaster recovery was demonstrated to be beneficial, they were still under-represented in this sector.
Gayle Mawson fills the room with soft tunes as guests arrive.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“Both in my practice experience and the research that’s available, it consistently shows that when women are involved in disaster planning and recovery, communities recover faster and more equitably,” she said.
“And yet women are, although we’ve made some gains, still significantly under-represented in emergency leadership roles, particularly in operational and strategic decision-making spaces.
“My career has taught me that diversity in leadership isn’t just nice to have, it’s an absolute necessity.”
She encouraged women to work towards their goals and aspire to not wait for life to be tidy, but “act in the mess and (keep) going”.
“If you’re waiting to feel perfectly ready before you step up, don’t. The community needs the imperfect, brave version of you.” she said.
“To the women here, your leadership — public and private, visible and quiet — has been, and is, the spine of resilience and the glue of community.
“To the gentleman here, and take this one home to your boys, your allyship matters. Make room, back women’s decisions and share the load. Pass the mic.
“Today, let this celebration be not just a pause, but a promise: that we will keep showing up for one another, that we will balance the scales, and when they tip, that we will build the kind of future for our daughters and sons that they deserve to inherit.”
