Disasters affect us where we live, work and connect. This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction theme, Resilience Starts at Home, reminds us that homes are not just places where disaster impacts are felt, but where resilience can be built every day. From the decisions we make about where and how we live, to the relationships that connect us with neighbours and community networks, our homes are at the heart of disaster risk reduction.

Join AIDR for a thought-provoking discussion exploring how individuals, communities and organisations can work together to create safer, more resilient futures. Through practical examples and community-led initiatives, this webinar will examine how preparedness, social connection, inclusive engagement and local action can strengthen resilience before, during and after disasters.

Moving beyond emergency kits and household plans, we'll explore the broader factors that shape risk, including housing, community networks, access to information and support, and the actions we can all take to reduce vulnerability and build resilience where it matters most. Participants will leave with fresh perspectives, practical ideas and inspiration to take action in their own homes and communities.

#ResilienceStartsAtHome #DRRDay

Presenters

Dr Paula Hardie
Resilient Kurilpa

Paula is a strategic designer based in Magandjin (Brisbane) who specialises in visual communication and community-led approaches to climate adaptation projects. She has volunteered and worked with Resilient Kurilpa since its formation after the 2022 Brisbane flood to strengthen resilience among the growing number of apartment-based communities living on the flood-prone Kurilpa Peninsular. She played a lead role in delivering Resilient Kurilpa’s workshops, webinars and tools that package local flood knowledge and experiences into practical resources for residents to adapt to their own apartment buildings and communities. She currently partners with Strabo Rivers, Resilient Kurilpa, and local body corporate committees to develop Flood Management Plans for apartments. Paula also works part-time to support residents living on the Benarrawa (Oxley Creek) floodplain to develop neighbourhood disaster plans in her role at Benarrawa Community Development Association. Paula has a Bachelor of Design Futures with Honours (Visual Communication) and a PhD (Design) from Griffith University.

Adrian Sais
Resilient Kurilpa

Adrian Sains (MIEAust CPEng RPEQ) is an independent chartered civil engineer. His early career involved managing infrastructure on the UK’s canals and river systems, which included responsibilities for flood response and reservoirs. Since emigrating in 2005, Adrian has led infrastructure planning for new town development in SEQ. As a Kurilpa resident since 2015 and a body corporate volunteer, Adrian has been working with Resilient Kurilpa as a member and technical advisor on flood mitigation strategies since the 2022 floods.

Dr Elise Remling
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Environmental Governance, University of Canberra

Elise has over 15 years’ experience in both academic and policy-oriented research on climate change and sustainable development. Working at the intersection of human geography, political and social sciences, Elise’s work is driven by a keen interest to shine a critical light on the social and political implications of environmental changes and of sustainability transitions, while also contributing to practical solutions.

Based in rural NSW, Elise is an active member of the Eurobodalla Community Support Network, a grassroots initiative focusing on building community resilience to future climate change, where she works collaboratively with a wide range of grassroots groups, service providers and government agencies. By blending research with community organising, Elise ensures her work both informs and is informed by her community advocacy work.

Dr Sophie Yates
Senior Research Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

Sophie's research focuses on value creation and relationality in public services, particularly for those from marginalised groups. She has published on issues such as gender and family violence, disability policy, disaster resilience, and co-production in service delivery. She is co-Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Social Issues.

Hosts

John Richardson
Executive Director, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

Dr Mayeda Rashid
Manager Capability Development and Engagement
Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience