Disaster Recovery

Communities affected by natural disasters are supported by our dedicated team of Community Resilience Officers, working with communities in impacted regions of NSW and Victoria.

How do we support impacted communities?

The Community Resilience team supports schools and communities to recover from natural disasters, build resilience and enhance community preparedness. We work alongside school staff, community services professionals, community leaders, first responders and trained Seasons for Growth and Stormbirds Companions.

Through conversation, small group gatherings, and the suite of MacKillop Seasons programs we connect with and assist communities to identify and understand the complex impacts of change, loss and grief following natural disasters. Our Community Resilience Officers appreciate the individual, and the unique and ongoing concerns and challenges and concerns that follow disaster events.

What are the Community Resilience offerings?

  • Community sessions (small group conversational sessions around the impact of the natural disasters on social and emotional wellbeing)
  • Parent/Carer sessions (children aged 2-18), varying from educational seminars to community-based workshops with and without children participating
  • School staff professional learning
  • Workshops for parents, carers and community stakeholders
  • Seasons for Growth and Stormbirds program implementation support (children and young people)
  • Seasons for Growth Adult and Parent programs implementation support program
  • Program implementation support for the Seasons for Healing program
The offerings above are examples and will vary between communities depending on funding agreements.

How are the Community Resilience offerings delivered?

Following community consultation, we support recovery by offering workshops and small groups programs to strengthen the capacity of children, young people and adults, to understand and respond well to change, loss and grief. We build community capacity by training local professionals and community members in the MacKillop Seasons programs to support and sustain local facilitation of workshops and programs ongoingly. Our Community Resilience Officers provide ongoing support and coaching in response to each community's unique needs.

Where do we provide on-the-ground Community Resilience support?

MacKillop Seasons is funded to deliver our Community Resilience Officer program in regional areas of NSW and Victoria:

  • NSW North - region of the Healthy North Coast Primary Health Network
  • NSW South - Shoalhaven
  • Victoria - East Gippsland

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I access support through this initiative?

Our Community Resilience Officers can discuss with you the needs of your school or community in relation to our offerings. Please register your interest by completing the form below and you will be put into contact with the Community Resilience Officer in your region.

What is the timeline for the support provided?

The timeline for each region is individual. 
  • NSW North – region of the Healthy North Coast Primary Health Network (Aug 23 – Jul 24)
  • NSW Central – Nepean-Blue Mountains (Aug 23 – Jul 24)
  • Victoria - East Gippsland (Jul 22 – Mar 24)
     

Are the Community Resilience Officers available to support delivery of the small group programs?

The Community Resilience Officers are available to support trained Companions to implement the small group programs and following consultation, may be able to deliver the programs in your school or community organisation.  

Are the Community Resilience Officers available to deliver professional learning and parent sessions?

The Community Resilience Officers are equipped to deliver sessions for professionals and carers to build local knowledge and capacity to strengthen the ability of adults to support the wellbeing of children and young people.

What other resources are available to support my community following a natural disaster?

MacKillop Seasons have developed numerous factsheets to support adults to care for their children and young people following natural disasters.  Our factsheets are developed from evidence in collaboration with the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University.  The factsheets are in the Resources page.
 

Stories and Outcomes

All Stories and Outcomes

Supporting your child following natural disaster

Supporting your child following natural disaster

Supporting your child following natural disaster

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Extreme weather anniversary reactions

Extreme weather anniversary reactions

Extreme weather anniversary reactions

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It is vital that we are responsive to ‘felt needs’, not ‘perceived needs’, and I was particularly impressed with your work based on needs analysis to help us all navigate the way forward. The Community Sessions you are seeding are a positive step in that direction and I am sure will bear much fruit.

Janice, Batemans Bay Community

Our People

Meet our people

Wendy Ronalds

Wendy Ronalds

Community Resilience Officer, East Gippsland

Christine Martin

Christine Martin

Community Resilience Officer, Northern NSW

Get in touch with us to find out more

Mandy Cox

Godelieve Hofman-Verkuyl

Disaster Recovery Lead

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