Black Saturday research wins national award
L-R: Claire Zara, Debra Parkinson, The Hon Michael Keenan MP, Minister for Justice, Susie Reid, Helen Riseborough at the Award presentation
Monash researchers have received a Resilient Australia Award for their groundbreaking work with communities affected by the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.
PhD candidates Ms Debra Parkinson of the School of Social Sciences and Ms Claire Zara of the Monash Injury Research Institute (MIRI) were awarded under the category ‘National Significance’ for a joint project with Women's Health Goulburn North East and Women's Health in the North.
The collaboration examined and revealed what happens to women, men, and their relationships during and after a catastrophic disaster. It resulted in two reports: The Way He Tells It: Relationships after Black Saturday and Men on Black Saturday: Risks and opportunities for change.
Sponsored by the Attorney General's Department, the Resilient Australia Awards recognise and promote initiatives that support and strengthen communities across the nation.
Professor Lesley Day, the acting director of MIRI, said Ms Parkinson and Ms Zara’s work demonstrates how research has the potential to engage the community and influence policy and practice.
“This work is truly translational, leading to major policy changes in how authorities and other support services respond to emergency situations,” Professor Day said.
Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE) initially funded and resourced the project, instigating a 2009 study examining women’s experiences during and after Black Saturday. The work resulted in Women’s Health in the North and the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse joining WHGNE to hold a national conference called “Identifying the Hidden Disaster: The First Australian Conference on Natural Disasters and Family Violence”.
In partnership with MIRI, WHGNE then funded and resourced the research into men’s experiences, with additional funding from the National Disaster Resilience Grants Scheme (NDRGS). A second national Conference “Just Ask: A Conference on the Experiences of Men after Disaster” was held in November 2013.
Emeritus Professor Frank Archer, MIRI, who chaired the steering group for the men’s study, congratulated all those involved.
“This award acknowledges not only the quality and ethical conduct of the research, but also the care, compassion and insight demonstrated by the lead researchers in what was considered risky research,” Professor Archer said.
The reports, which included recommendations for improved practice, led to the creation of Australia’s first Gender and Disaster Taskforce. Co-chaired by the Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner Mr Craig Lapsley and WHGNE Executive Officer Ms Susie Reid, the taskforce brings together senior leaders of key emergency service organisations, government departments, academics, women’s health sector, and community representatives.
The taskforce operates under the auspices of Emergency Management Victoria, which, in partnership with the Victoria Department of Human Services, has committed to substantially fund the work of the two women’s health services, to ensure ongoing outcomes.
Further information on MIRI’s disaster resilience programs is available from Dr Caroline Spencer, MUDRI academic co-ordinator, at caroline.spencer@monash.edu.