From Preparedness to the Long Tail: Strengthening Disaster Resilience Through Education, Culture and Community
Tracks
Karrie Webb
| Wednesday, November 4, 2026 |
| 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM |
Overview
Brooke Nester, Mackillop Seasons
Three Key Learnings
1. Disaster resilience must span the full lifecycle, not just response. Insight into importance of psychological preparedness and long-term recovery.
2. Building local capability through schools, communities, and emotional literacy. You would learn how our programs strengthen resilience by equipping educators and community professionals to deliver evidence-based social and emotional learning.
3. The critical role of culturally grounded approaches in recovery. Deepen your understanding of culturally responsive models, such as Seasons for Healing. This includes the importance of connection to culture, Country, storytelling, and collective healing as protective factors that strengthen social and emotional wellbeing and long-term recovery outcomes.
Presenter
Uncle Garry Kafoa
MacKillop Seasons
From Preparedness to the Long Tail: Strengthening Disaster Resilience Through Education, Culture and Community
Biography
My name Is Uncle Garry Kafoa
I am an Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Man an elder from Minjungbal Mob
on Bundjalung Country. I am a saltwater man who has spent my life on the beautiful Tweed River and Golden Beaches.
As a young boy I learnt my culture from my father, the uncles and aunties.
We look after country
We don't judge people
We don't take more then we need
We always show respect
Godelieve Verkuyl
National Disaster Resilience Lead
Mackillop Seasons
From Preparedness to the Long Tail: Strengthening Disaster Resilience Through Education, Culture and Community
Presentation Overview
Climate driven disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity across Australia, with disproportionate and cumulative impacts on rural, regional and First Nations communities. While disaster response systems focus heavily on immediate relief, far less attention is given to strengthening psychological preparedness before disasters and supporting the long tail of recovery through culturally grounded, community led approaches.
This presentation explores the Stormbirds Disaster Resilience Initiative, a multi jurisdictional program delivered across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, which builds disaster readiness and recovery capacity in schools and communities through evidence based social and emotional learning. Grounded in over 30 years of practice through the Seasons for Growth suite, Stormbirds Disaster Resilience Initiative positions disaster not as a single event but as a life transition involving change, loss and adaptation, requiring support across the full disaster lifecycle. The initiative strengthens local capability by training educators and community professionals to deliver small group programs for children, young people and adults, complemented by place based coaching from dedicated resilience officers.
A central focus of the presentation is Seasons for Healing, a culturally responsive program embedded within Stormbirds Disaster Resilience Initiative that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults to attend well to disaster related grief and loss. Delivered through small, peer based groups and co facilitated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander companions, Seasons for Healing centres culture, story, connection to Country and collective healing as protective factors in long term recovery. The program aligns with national First Nations healing frameworks, strengthening social and emotional wellbeing, cultural identity and community resilience.
Drawing on implementation insights from disaster affected communities, this presentation highlights how preparedness, response and recovery are interdependent, and how investing in cultural safety, emotional literacy and local leadership prior to disasters improves outcomes long after emergency systems withdraw.
This presentation explores the Stormbirds Disaster Resilience Initiative, a multi jurisdictional program delivered across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, which builds disaster readiness and recovery capacity in schools and communities through evidence based social and emotional learning. Grounded in over 30 years of practice through the Seasons for Growth suite, Stormbirds Disaster Resilience Initiative positions disaster not as a single event but as a life transition involving change, loss and adaptation, requiring support across the full disaster lifecycle. The initiative strengthens local capability by training educators and community professionals to deliver small group programs for children, young people and adults, complemented by place based coaching from dedicated resilience officers.
A central focus of the presentation is Seasons for Healing, a culturally responsive program embedded within Stormbirds Disaster Resilience Initiative that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults to attend well to disaster related grief and loss. Delivered through small, peer based groups and co facilitated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander companions, Seasons for Healing centres culture, story, connection to Country and collective healing as protective factors in long term recovery. The program aligns with national First Nations healing frameworks, strengthening social and emotional wellbeing, cultural identity and community resilience.
Drawing on implementation insights from disaster affected communities, this presentation highlights how preparedness, response and recovery are interdependent, and how investing in cultural safety, emotional literacy and local leadership prior to disasters improves outcomes long after emergency systems withdraw.
Biography
Godelieve is an experienced project and program leader, educator, and community resilience specialist with over 25 years of experience supporting children, young people, and families. Her work has focused on strengthening social and emotional wellbeing, with particular expertise in supporting disaster-affected communities.
She brings deep knowledge in trauma-informed program design, workforce development, and building effective partnerships across government, non-government, and community sectors. Passionate about strengthening local capacity, Godelieve is committed to equipping communities with the skills, confidence, and resources to drive their own recovery and resilience.
