Stakeholder AGM Showcase

The strength and diversity of the Bushfire CRC research and education program was on display at a recent Research Showcase in Melbourne in November 2013. The Showcase followed the Bushfire CRC AGM and included presentations from senior researchers and agencies representatives on the value of Bushfire CRC research for the sector.

Senior researcher at the Bureau of Meteorology Dr Jeff Kepert presented his latest work on improvements in fire weather forecasting. Brian Hine from the Victorian Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner spoke of how the implementation of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations was helped by Bushfire CRC research. AFAC CEO Stuart Ellis talked about the improving pathways from research to practice.

Three students of the PhD program spoke about the progress of their studies and how it linked in with the ongoing work of fire and land management agencies. Dr Briony Towers, who has now completed her PhD through RMIT University, studied bushfire preparedness messages for children. Much of her work has been adopted by agencies for their community education programs for fire and other natural hazards. Grace Vincent, Deakin University, presented her research into firefighter fatigue. David Barton, RMIT, talked about the differences between resilience and recovery from his studies of the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Marysville.

Profile of our student program

Three more students were profiled in videos. See more below about the current work of Brenda Mackie, and the completed work of Rowena Morris and Jaymie Norris, both of who are now employed by CRC partner agencies.