Capricornia Catchments has been at the forefront of building resilience following bushfire disasters within the region. Taking direction from affected community members from within our region’s, we have been able to develop a series of workshops with activities specifically tailored to their needs. By involving community, stakeholders and funders immediately following disasters, we have been able to provide direct and personalised description of disaster recovery processes. Individuals, businesses and organisations are assisted in identifying risks for future disasters and in developing mitigation practices and management plans. We adapt our methods of engagement accordingly. Capricornia Catchments specialises in developing products and workshops to suit your needs. No community is too small nor too remote.
A valuable inclusion to our bushfire resilience building workshops is indigenous / first-nation fire management. Used as a tool for improving natural resource management, this workshop component and the Fire Management Plans we can produce, highlights the importance of identifying and protecting items of importance during proactive and reactive disaster protection measures.
Inviting other community groups and businesses (especially those local to the areas) to participate in our workshops has helped improve connectedness within these communities, helping improve the outcomes of future disasters in these areas.
The resilience aspect of these workshops was created to capacity build communities with techniques individuals can use to improve their and other’s mental health & robustness. These workshops also aimed to improve connectedness and wellbeing within these communities by opening channels of communication within individuals, groups, government and businesses.
Various events and workshops were delivered in Alton Downs, Bajool, Byfield, Calliope, Cawarral, Clarke Creek, Duaringa, Emu Park, Great Keppel Island, Middlemount, Mt Larcom, Mt Morgan, Stanwell, The Caves, Wycarbah and Yeppoon as part of our Seeing Past the Smoke project which is jointly funded by Commonwealth & State Government Disaster Recovery funding.
Watch the Seeing Past the Smoke Project on our YouTube channel.
Fire Preparedness Workshops
We held a variety of workshops in rural communities that have collaborated with government organisations to provide information on disaster preparedness, emergency services and fire preventative controls. With guest speakers from QFES, SES, Queensland Health, Red Cross and other local businesses, communities have come together through a series of workshops to share their experience with others and gain new techniques to prepare for future disasters.
Wellness Days
The main priority after a natural disaster is building and repairing the damage to homes and properties, in order to provide and care for our families, employees and stock. Quite often during tough times we care for everyone else but ourselves. Bringing people together to share experiences through luncheons, art, yoga and aromatherapy workshops can have a positive effect on mental health and emotional wellbeing. There is significant value in supporting and developing community resilience during times of natural disasters.
Ladies Luncheons
Capricornia Catchments organises luncheons which includes guest speakers from various government organisations and local businesses, discussing important health and wellbeing topics as well as fire preparedness, in an uplifting and friendly environment. Providing an opportunity to meet new people and talk about experiences as well as encouraging selfcare is essential growth in building community resilience.
Beef Week 2021
Capricornia Catchments had a multi-dimensional presence at Beef2021, showcasing and celebrating our ability to deliver workshops digitally and in person. Our site bustled with people of all categories to hear speakers, see video presentations, relax in the “chill out zone”, or in the kids play area, interact in activities such as yoga and the barbwire hat making. Information was gathered and delivered, silent auctions were held, and refreshments were had, while volunteers helped in various activities such as our repurposed coffee cups with vegetable seedling.
Watch the Beef Week video on our YouTube channel.
Bushfire Hazard Reduction
Capricornia Catchments with the assistance of Dr Chelsea Jarvis created a series of videos to educate landholders on Bushfire Hazard Reduction which were displayed at Beef Week and are available on our YouTube channel. Dr Chelsea Jarvis, USQ Climate Specialist, discusses Central Queensland’s climate and production systems and how to find information for your property, having worked for the past two years on the Northern Australia Climate Program, funded by Meat and Livestock Australia.
Watch the following videos on our YouTube channel:
Bushfire Hazards with Dr Chelsea Jarvis
Green Date with Dr Chelsea Jarvis – What is a Green Date?
Green Date with Dr Chelsea Jarvis – False Start
Green Date with Dr Chelsea Jarvis – Different Pastures
Great Keppel Island Eco Day
Great Keppel Island Eco Weekend was a huge success with attendees taking part in wellness activities such as nature journaling and yoga as well as looking after Great Keppel Island by weeding and cleaning beaches. This event coincided with the announcement that Woppaburra people were formerly announced as the official first nations group for the Keppel Islands.
Youth Activities
GenYadaba is a group of youths in the Livingstone Shire that facilitate activities to support community and the environment. Capricornia Catchments assisted the group in planning meetings to organising beach clean-ups, guided walks, movie nights, nature journaling for the community to participate in.
Emu Park Legends Day
Emu Park Legends Day was a community event courtesy of Seeing Past the Smoke and the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements. Nippers, older members of the Emu Park Surf Lifesaving Club and community members decided what they would like to do, what to call the day, what activities & events to have, how they could be designed to ensure inclusivity for all ages, design equipment required, conduct risk assessment, how celebrations and acknowledgements should take place. It was decided that the group wanted to have a day where all ages groups would be able to participate and to do something that would add to the environmental value of the beach front. Events decided upon were pillow fights, obstacle races, thong throwing, three-legged wade, fully clothed surf swim, four-person board rescue, body board relay and a two-minute speed sandcastle build.
Watch the Emu Park Legends Day on our YouTube channel.
