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Davey Pump Raffle Winner

The winner of the Davey Pump Raffle is Quentin Addison of St Andrews Victoria
Drawn by Cr Frances Eyre, Mayor of the Shire of Nillumbik with Malcolm Hackett OAM at 1pm AEDT 15 Nov 2022

Interviews

We have a number of interviews in our resource hub. The interviews are grouped into topics as shown below and are available as both video and downloadable pdf transcriptions.

Webinar dates for 2022

July 20
August 3
August 17
September 7
September 21

Kids and bushfire plans

Rob Gordon , Clinical Pyschologist
Molly, Anouska and Alexander, Year 6 Students Kangaroo Ground Primary School

Black Saturday 2009 Residents

Adam Lewis, Strathewan resident
Steve Pascoe, Strathewan resident

Black Saturday 2009 Horses

Simon Bray, equine veterinarian
Kathy Brown, horse owner
Tim Calkin, equestrian
Sue Leslie, equestrian
Andrew McLean, horseman, educator
Jonna McLean, equestrian

2022 Webinar Series

2022 Webinar Series

In response to viewer feedback this year’s series will cover topics such as horses and bushfire and why kids should get involved in the family bushfire plan.

Our previous webinars have been well attended and 95% of our viewers said the presenters inspired them to take action to reduce their bushfire risks.

Once again we have assembled a team of eminent presenters and experts who will discuss the various issues, strategies and actions to get bushfire resilient.

Our webinars give you information about fire preparation to assist in better decision making. Our presenters are experts in fire science, fire behaviour and the best safety strategies for households living with fire risk.

Be inspired to take action to reduce your bushfire risks. Register now to be informed about our free webinars and the suite of Bitesize videos we will create during the 2022 series.

In response to viewer feedback this year’s series will cover topics such as horses and bushfire and why kids should get involved in the family bushfire plan.

Our previous webinars have been well attended and 95% of our viewers said the presenters inspired them to take action to reduce their bushfire risks.

Once again we have assembled a team of eminent presenters and experts who will discuss the various issues, strategies and actions to get bushfire resilient.

Our webinars give you information about fire preparation to assist in better decision making. Our presenters are experts in fire science, fire behaviour and the best safety strategies for households living with fire risk.

Be inspired to take action to reduce your bushfire risks. Register now to be informed about our free webinars and the suite of Bitesize videos we will create during the 2022 series.

Horses and bushfire – what do we know?

Does your horse have its bushfire plan sorted?
Every horse needs one, you better help!

7:30pm-9:00pm AEST Wednesday 20 July
  • Dr Kirrilly Thompson, University of Newcastle
  • Dr Andrew McLean, Equitation Science International
  • Dr Chris Heislers, Veterinarian
  • Dr Kevin Tolhurst AM, University of Melbourne

Your vegetation – what you need to know

Learn about landscaping and how the selection and placement of vegetation can make a difference

7:30pm-9:00pm AEST Wednesday 10 August
  • Dr Kevin Tolhurst AM, University of Melbourne
  • Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
  • Dr Peter Ashton, DELWP
  • Nick Guyett, Surf Coast Shire

Why get kids involved in the family bushfire plan

Expert presenters describe why and how to get your kids involved in bushfire preparations

7:30pm-9:00pm AEST Wednesday 7 September
  • Michelle Roberts, Australian National University
  • Dr Rob Gordon OAM, Clinical Psychologist
  • Dr Briony Towers, Co-director, LEADRRR
  • Jane Hayward AM PSM, Principal Strathewen Primary School

Understand your bushfire risk

Kevin Tolhurst, Justin Leonard and Ian Bennetts will explain how the fuel load and topography of your locality and property and the design of your house affects your bushfire risk.

Ian will describe BBCA’s Star Rating System app that will enable you to determine your house’s risk.

7:30pm-9:00pm AEST Wednesday 21 September
  • Dr Kevin Tolhurst AM, University of Melbourne
  • Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
  • Dr Ian Bennetts, Bushfire Building Council of Australia
  • Jeff Emmerton, Bushfire Building Council of Australia

Your last resort options

Even the best laid plans sometimes don’t work out. What are your survival options if this happens to you?

7:30pm-9:00pm AEDT Wednesday 5 October
  • Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
  • Dr Jim McLennan, La Trobe University
  • Dr Rob Gordon OAM, Clinical Psychologist

Viewer Participation and Ratings

Our webinars are well attended and are highly regarded. Please register above to join our email list so you can be kept informed

Webinar dates for 2022

July 20
August 3
August 17
September 7
September 21

Viewer participation

Average number of  viewers per webinar 206
Post Webinar Survey responses 60% of audience
Percentage of viewers inspired to take action 95%

Viewer ratings

Overall Session 91% Excellent or Very Good
Information Relevance 90% Excellent or Very Good
Recommend to others 85% Very Likely, 15% Likely

Bitesize Topics from our Resource Hub

Our Resource Hub contains a wealth of expert information and includes many Bitesize topics to help you target the specific bushfire risks that may apply to your home and property

Treated pine

Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
CCA treated pine presents a significant fire risk

Water tanks

Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
A ruptured plastic or fiberglass tank against a shed or a house is equivalent to driving a car into the side of the structure at about 50km/hr

Gas bottles

Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
In a fire 9-60kg gas bottles can turn into a flame thrower or a bomb. Installing them securely could save your home.

Decks

Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
What are the risks of decks, outside furniture, under floor storage and stairways?

Subfloor

Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
It doesn’t matter how bushfire resilient your home is, it will fail if you store flammable items under it.

Embers

Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO
Embers are an absolute certainty in a bushfire. They are the most prevalent cause of house loss.
If you know what to do and take action you can reduce the risk of your home being destroyed.

2021 Webinar Series

Our 2021 webinars explored common household bushfire risks with a specific focus on water tanks, pumps and sprinklers. We also presented about the human challenges and how to prepare both physically and emotionally. We highlighted the importance of knowing the triggers to take action and the importance of having sheltering options included in your bushfire plan.

Reduce your house and property risk

7.30pm Wednesday 21 July 2021
  • Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO

Get water ready: Tanks, pumps and sprinklers

7.30pm Wednesday 4 August
  • Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO

Your physical and emotional preparation

7.30pm Thursday 19 August 2021
  • Dr Danielle Clode, Flinders University
  • Dr Rob Gordon OAM
  • Dr Jim McLennan

Triggers to take action

7.30pm Wednesday 1 September 2021
  • Dr Kevin Tolhurst AM, University of Melbourne
  • Dr Katharine Haynes, Macquarie University
  • Dr Danielle Clode, Flinders University
  • Dr Raphaele Blanchi, CSIRO

Your sheltering options

7.30pm Wednesday 15 September 2021
  • Dr Raphaele Blanchi, CSIRO
  • Dr Katharine Haynes, University of Wollongong
  • Dr Chloe Begg, CFA

2020 Webinar Series

Our 2020 webinars focused on how houses are destroyed by bushfires and what actions could be taken to harden up your house. We also looked at climate change and how to factor it into your bushfire plan. Our experts from the insurance and building industries talked about getting your insurance right and what you need to know about rebuilding

How houses are destroyed by bushfires

7.30pm Tuesday 27 October 2020
  • Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO

How to harden an existing house

7.30pm Thursday 5 November 2020
  • Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO

Getting your insurance right

7.30pm Tuesday 10 November 2020
  • Denis Nelthorpe, Consumer Lawyer
  • Clare Cordingley, Insurance Council
  • Helda Sidaoui, Suncorp
  • Georgina Dircks, IAG

Understanding rebuilding

7.30pm Thursday 19 November 2020
  • Rosa Zouzoulas, Nillumbik Shire Council
  • Julie Bowyer, Cardinia Shire Council
  • Mark Holland, CFA
  • Peter Collina, Victorian Building Authority
  • Renae Ahern, Nillumbik Shire Council
  • John Ginivan, Strategic Planner
  • Kevin Hazell, Bushfire Planning

Make better decisions about bushfire risk in our changing climate

7.30pm Thursday 26 November 2020
  • Dr Kevin Tolhurst AM, University of Melbourne
  • Michael Vermeulen, CFA

Our Sponsors and Supporters

Sponsored by
Hurstbridge & Eltham Community Bank Branches
Proudly sponsored by
Hurstbridge & Eltham Community Bank Branches
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