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The 2026 Lessons Management Forum will be a hybrid event held at Brisbane Marriot Hotel, Queensland and online.

Call for Abstracts has now closed.

The forum has 3 objectives:

  1. Share lessons identified or learned (refer to the Lessons Management handbook for definition of learned lessons). The program committee will prioritise abstracts on lessons identified.
  2. Provide introductory level training, workshops, and presentations to educate, encourage, and empower those new to lessons management.
  3. Provide presentations and workshops that challenge and advance the thinking and practice of experienced lessons management practitioners.

The committee is seeking abstracts that respond to one or more of the following:

  • Learning from recovery
    Key insights and lessons emerging from recovery-focused events and operations.
  • Lessons management in recovery contexts
    Frameworks, governance, and practices that support effective lessons management during recovery.
  • From lessons identified to lessons learned
    How mature organisations translate insights into action, embed change, and integrate lessons into strategic decision-making.
  • Technology-enabled lessons management
    Leveraging digital tools and artificial intelligence to capture, analyse, and apply lessons more effectively.
  • The future of lessons management
    Emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping how organisations learn from events.
  • Applying historical insights
    What past incidents – particularly recovery efforts – teach us about improving future preparedness and outcomes.

Ticket options and inclusions

The Lessons Management Forum will be delivered as a hybrid event, allowing those unable to join AFAC and AIDR in Brisbane, Queensland to participate online. 

Virtual attendees will join via Zoom, and all delegates will use an online Q&A platform to engage with speakers. 

In-person forum attendance 
19-20 May 2026


$460.00 +GST*

Includes:

  • Two-day program
  • Participation in Q&A with speakers
  • Printed delegate program
  • Day catering
  • Networking function at the conclusion of day one

Virtual forum attendance 
19-20 May 2026


$295.00 +GST*

Includes:

  • Two-day program, via Zoom
  • Participation in Q&A with speakers
  • Digital delegate program

In-person workshops 
21 May 2026

$125.00 +GST* per workshop

Includes:

  • Choose one of the three workshops
  • Workshops will be announced with the program in March 2026

*All prices are in Australian Dollars.

Forum program

 

Tuesday 19 May

 

 

 
AEST Presentation NZST ACST AWST
8.00am Registrations open 10.00am 7.30am 6.00am
9.00am

Welcome and opening
- Welcome to Country
- Housekeeping

MC: Des Hosie, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

 11.00am 8.30am 7.00am 
9.15am

Opening remarks
Alistair Dawson, Inspector-General of Emergency Management

 11.15am 8.45am 7.15am
10.00am

Keynote
Katarina Carroll APM, National Emergency Management Agency

12.00pm

9.30am 

8.00am
10.45am Morning tea (30 minutes) 12.45pm 10.15am 8.45am
11.15am

Lessons to leverage: Bringing frameworks to life
Erin Pelly, Australian Red Cross and Lauren Lombardi

1.15pm

10.45am 

9.15am
11.35am

Generating participative value in the lessons process through positive language
Paul Margetts, Paul Margetts Consulting

1.35pm

11.05am

9.35am
11.55am

Implementing a successful lessons management framework across multiple major disaster events
Kelli Hudson and Troy Gersback, City of Gold Coast

1.55pm

11.25am

9.55am
12.15pm

From lessons identified to lessons learned: Copilot supported after action reviews in Victorian public health incident management
Priya Rangarajan, Victorian Department of Health

2.15pm

11.45am

10.15am
12.35pm

The Future of Lessons Management: Learning Systems for Australia’s Emerging Risk Landscape
Mikaela Mbonzi Geach, National Emergency Management Agency

2.35pm

12.05pm

10.35am
12.55pm Lunch (40 minutes) 2.55pm 12.25pm 10.55am
1.35pm

Enhancing real-time monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement during sustained operations
Luke Purcell, Emergency Management Victoria

3.35pm

1.05pm 

11.35am
1.55pm

From stories to systems: Turning tacit recovery know-how into lessons identified—and learned
Dr Patrick Fong, Griffith University

3.55pm

1.25pm

11.55am
2.15pm

Learning at the speed of recovery: Rethinking lessons management in recovery in Western Australia
Department of Fire and Emergency Services, WA

4.15pm

1.45pm

12.15pm
2.35pm

Embedding risk, learning, and trust: The Queensland Police Service journey in disaster lessons management
Courtney Russell, Queensland Police Service

4.35pm

2.05pm

12.35pm
2.55pm

The hitchhikers guide to lessons management
Mark Cuthbert

4.55pm

2.25pm

12.55pm
3.15pm

Afternoon tea (30 minutes)

5.15pm

2.45pm

1.15pm
3.45pm

Learning from recovery: Peer-led lessons management for heatwaves
Marika Kontellis, Inner Sydney Voice

5.45pm

3.15pm

1.45pm
4.05pm

Turning lessons into practical change on biosecurity responses
Bryar Clayton, Ministry for Primary Industries

6.05pm

3.35pm

2.25pm
4.25pm

Queensland Corrective Services - Embracing the challenge
M.Sc. Lisa Cameron de Vries, Phoenix Resilience and Eden Hughes-Barbour, Queensland Corrective Services

6.25pm

3.55pm

2.25pm
4.45pm

From insight to impact: How ERV turned lessons into lasting change
Grace Grech and Dana Hehir, Emergency Recovery Victoria – State Capability and Operations

6.45pm

4.15pm

2.45pm
5.05pm

Key insights and lessons emerging from recovery focused events and operations in New Zealand
Stefan Michie, National Emergency Management Agency NZ

7.05pm

4.35pm

3.05pm
5.25pm End of day one 7.25pm 4.55pm 3.25pm
5.30pm - 7.30pm Networking session Not available to online delegates
     

Wednesday 20 May

 

 

 
AEST Presentation NZST ACST AWST
8.30am Registrations open 10.30am 8.00am 6.30am
9.00am

Keynote
Dr Alastair Stark, University of Queensland

 11.00am 8.30am 7.00am 
9.45am

Finishing well: How lessons drive strategy, strengthen practice, and enable purposeful exits
Erin Pelly, Australian Red Cross and Dr Claire Leppold, University of Melbourne

 11.45am 9.15am 7.45am
10.05am

Closing the loop: Positioning the lessons management framework as a risk management tool
Alex Murray, DAFF

12.05pm

9.35am 

8.05am
10.25am Morning tea (30 minutes) 12.25pm 9.55am 8.25am
10.55am

Bridging strategy and implementation: Lessons management in Queensland’s disaster recovery sector
Alistair Dawson, IGEM and Simon Dorrington, Queensland Reconstruction Authority

12.55pm

10.25am 

8.55am
11.15am

Stories of Jasper
Kate Bertola, Mareeba Shire Council

1.15pm

10.45am

9.15am
11.35am

Impressions from a Churchill Fellowship investigating Lessons Management, NSW Rural Fire Service
Superintendent Dan Meijer, NSW Rural Fire Service

1.35pm

11.05am

9.35am
11.55am

Why do lessons fail to stick?
Superintendent Mark Langhorn, Victoria Police

1.55pm

11.25am

9.55am
12.15pm Lunch (40 minutes) 2.15pm 11.45pm 10.15am
12.55pm

Lessons Management Award presentation

2.55pm

12.25pm

10.55am
1.25pm

Turning lessons into action: Advancing organisational resilience post–TC Alfred
Coralie Muddle and Susanna Imarisio, City of Moreton Bay

3.25pm

12.55pm

11.25am
1.45pm

Making lessons stick
Dr Tracy Hatton and David Parsons, Resorgs/RRANZ

3.45pm

1.15pm

11.45am
2.05pm

Tailored for rigour, challenged by tempo: Releasing lessons in continuous operations
Sanna Verhoef and Chris Jacobson, Transport For NSW

4.05pm

1.35pm

12.05pm
2.25pm

How lessons learned from 2021-2023 NSW floods significantly improved field data insights, and understanding of flood impacted communities in 2025
Melissa Daley, NSW State Emergency Service

4.25pm

1.55pm

12.25pm
2.45pm

Afternoon tea (30 minutes)

4.45pm

2.15pm

12.45pm
3.15pm

Why we keep relearning the same lessons: Enablers and barriers to lessons management in the Western Australian emergency services sector
Jennifer Medbury, Edith Cowan University

5.15pm

2.45pm

1.15pm
3.35pm

Evolving RPAS (Drones) from observation to intelligence in Queensland Fire Department operations
Dean West, Queensland Fire Department

5.35pm

3.05pm

1.35pm
3.55pm

Insight or illusion? Ensuring accuracy in AI powered lessons management
Dorothea Huber, AMSA

5.55pm

3.25pm

1.55pm
4.15pm

Beyond resilience: Agricultural recovery by design — from lessons identified to lessons embedded
Leanne Kruss, Australian Integrated Agriculture

6.15pm

3.45pm

2.15pm
4.35pm End of fourm 6.35pm 4.05pm 2.35pm

 

 

Forum workshops

Enhance your Lessons Management Forum experience with immersive workshop options.

Registrations are available via the registration portal for in-person delegates. 

 

We learn as one: Victoria's decade of learning lessons together - Practical pathways for embedding lessons management
Session date: Thursday 21 May Session time: To be confirmed Cost: $125.00 (per person)

Facilitated by: 

Emergency Management Victoria

Workshop overview:

This workshop focuses on practical ways to embed lessons management into everyday organisational practice. Drawing on Victoria’s experience, participants will explore the core components of an effective
lessons system, including governance alignment, insight development, and cultural enablers. Through guided activities and peer discussion, participants will reflect on their current approach, identify gaps, and develop realistic actions to strengthen their
own systems. The workshop is designed for practitioners seeking clear, adaptable methods to improve learning and continuous improvement in complex environments.
     

Beginning the journey - A newbie's guide to lessons management
Session date: Thursday 21 May Session time: 9.00am - 12.30pm AEST Cost: $125.00 (per person)

Facilitated by: 

NZ Land Search and Rescue

Workshop overview:

They say there’s no such thing as a silly question, but that doesn’t stop you from feeling silly when asking it. This workshop is a safe space for those starting their Lessons Management journey. We’ll slow it down and break it down, helping demystify the language and elements to give you a clearer understanding.
During this workshop, we will:

  • Break down the Lessons Management Cycle & the OILL process.
  • Explore the real steps, missteps, and insights from NZ Land Search and Rescue's 3-year journey to create and implement a Lessons Framework.
  • Develop practical steps for getting started.
     

From Aboriginal cultural insight to organisational change: Translating recovery lessons into action
Session date: Thursday 21 May Session time: 9.00am - 12.00pm AEST Cost: $125.00 (per person)

Facilitated by: 

Conservation Collaborators

Workshop overview:

This interactive workshop draws on the Aboriginal and Cultural Recovery and Resilience Strengthening (ACR) Program following the 2019–20 East Gippsland bushfires to explore how community insights from recovery can be translated into practical organisational
change. Using a real recovery case study, participants will examine systemic barriers that prevent lessons being embedded and work through a practical framework for converting qualitative recovery insights into governance, policy, and capability improvements.
Through facilitated exercises and systems mapping, participants will develop actionable pathways to move from lessons identified to lessons learned within their own organisations.

2026 AFAC Lessons Management Award

Nominations for the award have now closed.

AFAC, along with member agencies, has recognised the continued need to develop lessons management capability across the fire and emergency services in Australia. The AFAC Knowledge Innovation and Research Utilisation Community of Practice develops and advocates approaches that support the development and sharing of good practice in knowledge management, lessons management, innovation, and cultural practices that support our business at all levels. Learn more about the awards here.

Congratulations to our winner and finalists for 2025.

Winner:

  • 'Application of AIDR Lessons Management Approach to the DFES Cultural Fire Program'
    Cultural Fire Program, Bushfire Centre of Excellence, Department of Fire & Emergency Services

Finalists:

  • 'SASES Lessons Management Framework and Lessons Management Board'
    South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES)

  • 'Gold Coast Disaster and Emergency Management Lessons Program'
    City of Gold Coast

  • 'Fire and Emergency New Zealand's Lessons Management Policy, Framework, and Supporting Initiatives'
    Fire and Emergency New Zealand

  • 'Western Australia Lessons Management Community of Practitioners'
    Department of Fire and Emergency Services

  • 'Community-centred Tenterfield Post-Bushfire Learning Review'
    Fire to Flourish, Monash University

Learn more about the award winner and finalists here.

Accommodation

If you haven’t yet booked accommodation, consider the following options. All are conveniently located near the forum venue, including the Brisbane Mariott Hotel.

Brisbane Mariott Hotel

515 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
(Forum venue)

Conference rates will be automatically applied when booking via the link.

Oaks Brisbane Aurora Suites

420 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
(4-minute walk to Brisbane Mariott Hotel)

How to book:

  1. Go to website via link
  2. Select HOTEL NAME
  3.  Enter “OUREVENT”
  4. Select dates (must be between 16-23 May)
  5. Select room type and rates
  6. Follow the prompts to book

Oaks Brisbane Lexicon Suites

347 Ann St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
(6-minute walk to Brisbane Mariott Hotel)

How to book:

  1. Go to website via link
  2. Select HOTEL NAME
  3. Enter “OUREVENT”
  4. Select dates (must be between 16-23 May)
  5. Select room type and rates
  6. Follow the prompts to book

Adina Apartment Hotel Anzac Square

255 Ann St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
(11-minute walk to Brisbane Mariott Hotel)

Conference rates will be automatically applied when booking via the link.
About the Lessons Management Forum

Participants take part in a broad range of presentations and workshops from various jurisdictions and organisations, including military, health, and fire and emergency services. The program explores sharing lessons, including insights and lessons identified from experiences in an operational context. This may include outcomes from debriefs and outcomes from significant events. It will also explore implementing lessons and the different approaches taken by organisations in managing lessons. This may include development of frameworks, governance, and processes.

 

The program includes:

Presentations
Presentations will cover lessons that have been identified as well as how to manage lessons. There will be a broad range of presentations and workshops from various organisations, jurisdictions, and sectors.

The forum
The forum is open to everyone and will provide face-to-face networking opportunities to enhance the expanding community of practitioners working in the lessons management area and will encourage new members to join. The forum is also livestreamed for attendees to view as an online delegate if they are unable to attend in person.

Workshops
A selection of workshops related to lessons management will be available to register for, at an additional cost.

Networking event
A networking event is held on the evening of day one of the forum.

 

Who should attend?

The Lessons Management Forum provides an opportunity for lessons management practitioners, those interested in this area, and those new to the area, to share good practice, learnings, and innovations.

The Lessons Management Forum is an AFAC event, proudly supported by AIDR.