Myrtleford has played a pivotal role in new research which confirms the value of community-led approaches to disaster preparedness and resilience.

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), in partnership with the University of Sydney, has this week released a report which captures the lessons learnt following the conclusion of its Disaster Resilient: Future Ready (DR:FR) Victoria program.

Myrtleford was one of three Victorian regional communities which participated in the multi-year, place-based initiative designed to support and strengthen the capacity and capability to thrive and be resilient to the impacts of climate change, disasters and other disruptions.

Myrtleford’s project saw the Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre granted $37,850 to employ a ‘Community Connector’ and helped map processes and networks in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.

The project resulted in a dedicated focus on ongoing resilience building through an advisory group, which maintained momentum by tapping into new arrivals and offering ongoing programming at the Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre.

Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience & Recovery lead, said that through experience as a national funder of community-based efforts in medium to long term disaster recovery, FRRR observed communities with stronger social capital, higher levels of inclusion, diverse leadership and broad engagement across community and emergency management system, recovered more effectively after a disaster.

“We wanted to better understand what had led them to be in that position,” she said.

“What did it take to enable community-led approaches that responded to each place’s unique context, so that recovery involved less disruption, and people and communities were more informed, skilled and connected for future challenges? And so, DR:FR was born.”

The program involved a series of collaborative workshops with community groups, with ongoing support and guidance from FRRR staff and, initially, external coaches, with grants awarded to support the activation of community-driven, resilience-building ideas.

As part of the program, researchers from the University of Sydney also regularly engaged with the community groups to investigate, understand and measure activities, processes and structures that enable or hinder individuals and communities in disaster resilience building.

“This research has confirmed the power of community-led approaches to disaster resilience and highlighted some key enabling factors,” Ms O’Brien said.

“Perhaps most important of all the factors is having a group of people who are willing to step up and play a key role working closely with authorities and agencies to strengthen their community for the future.

“It is the members of these groups that are the key enablers.

“This research has proven yet again that by working closely together, and with the right support, communities can build their capacity to respond to disasters and disruptions in ways that are sustainable and impactful.”