LEADERSHIP took many forms during the October 2022 floods. With services spread thin across large parts of the state, and water cutting access to many roads, it quickly became apparent that the community needed to help each other rather than wait for support.
To empower Greater Shepparton to continue to grow in that space, the GSCC’s flood recovery team, Resilience in Recovery, hosted Jamie MacKenzie from Red Flag Leadership to deliver two free and impactful training opportunities for residents in July and August.
The Community Emergency Scenario Sessions built skills in local emergency response and planning for participants. The Answering the Call Leadership Course focused on leadership, decision-making and communication in emergencies.
Director/Founder of Red Flag – Real Time Leadership Solutions, Jamie Mackenzie, was pleased with the engagement from all community members who participated in the programs.
“I think they realise that they can do it, you know, like it sort of takes that perspective. The agencies are usually a short strap with resources, and a lot going on. The community can do this, and they realise that they can,” said Jamie.
“That’s part of the realisation. It’s also the relationships built, particularly the leadership program, because it’s two weekends, and you’re working with small teams. And those relationships that you build, as we say, the relationships you build in peacetime will pay off in dividends when an event happens.”
The empowerment of the community has been the centre of what Resilience in Recovery does. They will continue to benefit Greater Shepparton when the next natural disaster event happens.
