Program

Understanding fire in our landscape: a community conversation

12-13 November 2016, Newstead Community Centre. List of speakers.

To listen to the audio, click on the linked Speaker’s name, or program session, below. You will be taken to a page which includes the audio, powerpoint presentation (if used) and some images from the session. You can also download the audio as an MP3 file. Further images can be found on the Photogallery page.

PROGRAM

Saturday 12 November

10am: Welcome to Country: Trent Nelson and Mick Bourke

Introduction to our Community Conversation: Chris Johnston

Framing the questions

Short presentations on the key questions to be explored over the weekend:

11am: Morning tea, provided by Newstead Primary School

11.30am: Looking at the landscape: an exploration of places, values and perspectives.

Field trip by bus and shared cars to Mt Tarrengower and back through the Muckleford Forest looking at past fires, their impact, and ecological recovery.

Experts will guide you through a learning journey. Speakers include:

BYO lunch to eat on the trip.

Returning to the Community Centre by 3.00pm.

11.30 to 3.30pm: Activities in the Community Centre

  • Recording stories of fire – the local history of fire and fire activities/events – with Gordon Dowell
  • Creating a timeline – local events, fire stories, brigade stories – set on a timeline from then to now
  • Mapping values – what is it that you love in town or out there – pin your ‘heart places’ on a map and share what makes it special for you
  • What worries me is …? Add your fears, issues and worries to our graffiti wall

3.00pm: Afternoon tea, provided by Newstead Primary School

3.30pm: Sharing stories

Come together to share what we have experienced – in the field or in the hall

4.30pm: Close for the day – an invitation to return on Sunday

Sunday 13 November

10.00am: Hall opens. Come in for a cuppa and morning tea to start the day, provided by Newstead Preschool

10.30am: Focusing on risk

What are the risks in our landscape? This session will present a range of different perspectives on landscape scale risk assessment, community perceptions of risk, and fire and and our local vegetation. Chaired by Geoff Park, with speakers:

11.30am: Looking locally

What are the risks for Newstead and Maldon – and everywhere in between? Are the risks the same or quite different? Speakers:

A word from Maldon & District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank).

12.45pm: Lunch: Catered by The Newstead Men’s Shed and Newstead Community Garden: free for all participants

1.30pm: Rethinking fire at a landscape scale

Taking what we have heard over the two days, how can we rethink ‘fire’ at a landscape-scale, not just as a threat to a house or a town?

  • What might we do differently?
  • What have we learnt? What are we puzzled by?

This session will be facilitated by Jinette de Gooijer, with contributions from everyone in the room.

3.00pm: Where to from here?

A summary of ideas and possible actions – have a look here.

3.20 pm: Drawing to a close

  • Thanks to all our supporters and helpers
  • Thanks to everyone who participated.