Reflecting on the rich discussions at Natural Hazards Research Australia’s (the Centre) First Nations Knowledge Network meeting at the Natural Hazards Research Forum 2026, Node Research Manager George Goddard shares his thoughts on connections, responsibility and the strong First Nations voices that helped shape NHRF26.
I get to wear some great (metaphorical) hats at the Centre. One of those is helping convene the Centre’s First Nations Knowledge Network. This group seeks to create a space where our amazing network of researchers and end-users working on First Nations-focused research can connect. It is also a space of knowledge sharing on how to conduct research and drive action on the results, in a way that supports the empowerment, inclusion and self-determination of First Nations communities.
The third in-person session was held ahead of NHRF26 to help everyone connect and continue the yarn throughout the Forum. This year, we were very happy to welcome A/Prof Veronica Matthews (University of Sydney), Geoff Reid (One Basin CRC) and David Windsor (Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA), three of our First Nations Pathways Working Group members who are helping to co-design the Centre’s upcoming new10-year research strategy 2026-2036, to the discussion.
Led by the amazing Nations Indigenous Disaster Resilience (NIDR) team with A/Prof Bhiamie Williamson and Kaytlyn O'Neil co-facilitating a great discussion seeking feedback on the draft National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Framework.
This framework has been co-developed with a community of practice and the support of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as part of the Centre-funded Foundations in Indigenous disaster resilience project.
This project was just an idea when I first started with the Centre almost three years ago. It's amazing to see how the team have taken it and grown it into a framework that will meaningfully support the elevation of First Nations peoples in resilience and emergency management decision-making. The framework empowers practitioners and communities to connect with respect and it was great to hear the ideas and considerations emerging from the group.
Many of the discussion themes flowed through the whole Forum with a powerful First Nations opening address by A/Prof Veronica Matthews, who challenged attendees to consider whether you can have impact without systems change when we’ve acknowledged the current systems cannot keep up with the increasingly challenging and complex conditions. It is hard to summarise Veronica’s words well and I can only encourage readers to watch Veronica speak about the rich themes of the ongoing responsibility needed to sustain resilience, relational as opposed to assigned responsibility and moving from inclusion to shared authority. Megan Considine and Krista Bell from the Brungle-Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council spoke powerfully to this when presenting their own research later in the same session, highlighting the importance of collaboration between agencies and communities in genuine cultural partnerships, working together on Country.
David Windsor picked this theme up again on Day 2 and summarised it in a powerful and single word – connection – to each other and to Country, acknowledging and holding responsibility that emerges from connection to both. Again, David says it much better than I can write, and I encourage you to watch his contribution to the panel discussion.
I am proud to work with an organisation that holds events like the Forum and commits to ensuring a strong First Nations presence throughout as well as invests in research that aims to meaningfully elevate First Nations peoples. It is essential to form the connections we know we need to make and the understanding that flows from connection.
In the interest of connection, I would encourage readers to connect and engage with the research of those in our Knowledge Network who, though I don't have recordings to share, shared their work at the forum and whose work you can engage with on our website (including posters and slides from the event):
I would like to thank the First Nations Pathways Working Group Members, researchers and participants who made time to foster connections at the Forum, and to those who couldn't make it but continue to share your wisdom and time. We are fortunate to work with First Nations leaders like yourselves.