COMMUNITY organisations and volunteers from the Whittlesea township and surrounds are joining forces to strengthen connections, community vitality and disaster resilience as part of a multi-year community program.
Representatives from the Community Resilience Committee, CRC, Neighbourhood Centre, Victoria Police, Rotary Club, Community Garden and the City of Whittlesea have put in an application to partner with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, FRRR, as part of a new initiative.
Through the ‘Disaster Resilient: Future Ready’, DF:FR, program, groups will be supported to come together to develop and lead initiatives that strengthen and grow community networks, as well as enhancing the community’s capacity to respond, recover and adapt to disruptions.
FRRR disaster resilience and recovery leader Nina O’Brien said it was obvious the communities of the City of Whittlesea were passionate about driving and advocating for positive change.
“[The] Whittlesea township and surrounds have a long history with bushfires and are also now experiencing change and disruption through population and urban growth, and climate change,” she said.
“Groups like the CRC, which has been actively involved in the journey for 10 years, see the DF:FR program as an opportunity for the local community to get on the front foot, and to work together to strengthen the community’s ability to navigate current and future changes.
“We are delighted to be able to support this community-driven process and provide resources to help engage the broader community, explore the local context in greater detail and test and implement priority actions.”
The program is set to begin this month with a series of activities that will bring together interested community members and organisations to explore aspirations for a thriving and resilient future.
People who are interested in finding out more and getting involved with the program are encouraged to contact Whittlesea CRC and Community House. People can also contact DR:FR program coordinator Jacqui Bell on 1800 170 020.
“The DR:FR initiative is designed to be a catalyst for community-led resilience, by empowering local people to build and adapt the strengths, tools and resources that already exist in the community,” Ms O’Brien said.
“FRRR’s role in this process is as a facilitator and supporter. We play a connecting and brokering role, alongside local people, who work together to create and achieve the community’s visions and goals.”
For more information about the program, visit frrr.org.au/drfr-victoria.
