Bushfire film nets award

A short film developed in the aftermath of the 2016 Waroona-Yarloop bushfires has been recognised for its efforts towards improving community resilience.

The Harvey Shire Council was awarded the Resilient Australia Local Government Award on Wednesday night at the 2019 Resilient Australia WA Awards.

Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan presented the award to shire president Tania Jackson for the short film Bushfire Preparedness: Lessons Learned.

“This is great recognition of the strength of our communities,” Cr Jackson said.

“There were great messages about how to cope in a disaster.”

The DVD-format film includes a series of segments showing heartfelt stories and advice from residents, farmers and business owners about living through a bushfire.

Each person offers personal and emotional insights into surviving a devastating and destructive fire with scorching temperatures and high winds.

“Our whole community can really feel they have been part of this project,” Cr Jackson said.

“It’s in listening to people’s stories that messages about preparedness really hit home.”

Mr Logan congratulated all the award winners for leading the way in designing programs that protect people and build community resilience.

“The ability to adapt, survive and thrive in the face of adversity and disasters is the hallmark of strong, resilient communities,” Mr Logan said.

“By building an understanding of the risks we face, we build the foundations to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

The Collie and Districts Community Bank won the Business Award for their Operation Next Gen.

The grass-roots initiative is aimed at empowering local leaders, engaging with youth and encouraging investment ideas and opportunities.

The Balingup Primary School's Junior Fire Brigade won the Resilient Australia School Award.

All award winners have been entered into the National Resilient Australia Awards which will be announced later this year.