Let's talk about the weather
Published on 25 July 2024
Gannawarra Shire residents are being encouraged to join a conversation about the impact of extreme weather events as part of a Let’s Talk About the Weather program.
Council is working with Make a Change Australia and various local partner organisations to coordinate the program, which will run from now through to late November.
The program aims to facilitate a community-wide discussion about the impact of extreme weather events on residents and communities and prompt new ideas, solutions and approaches for the future.
“The past 10-15 years has seen an increase in extreme weather events, such as flash or riverine flooding, storms and drought,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.
“The Let’s Talk About the Weather program aims to provide a platform for community members to share their experiences, thoughts and ideas.
“We are not able to control the weather, but collectively we can seek new solutions and approaches to lessen the direct impact that extreme weather has on our communities.”
As part of the program, four days of community engagement will occur in August and September where community members will be provided with the opportunity to share their local experiences with extreme weather and answer the question “What do you reckon?” to facilitate the sharing of thoughts and ideas for the future.
The program will culminate with the hosting of two free community events later this year: A lunch focusing on positive green spaces planned for Kerang on Wednesday, 13 November; and a dinner focusing on living with water occurring at Cohuna on Wednesday, 20 November. Details regarding locations, time, speakers and how to book will be announced closer to these dates.
“The two community events will feature an exciting keynote speaker, as well as provide the opportunity for residents to hear from local people and community groups who are adapting their practices in these changing times,” Mr Rollinson said.
In the meantime, residents can share their thoughts, experiences and ideas on the weather, its direct impact and local solutions via the online survey available at https://makeachange.org.au/gannawarra/
“Council looks forward to supporting the roll-out of the Let’s Talk About the Weather program across Gannawarra and hearing about work already occurring as well as positive ideas for adapting to climate variability in the future,” Mr Rollinson said.
The Let’s Talk About the Weather program is an initiative of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee and supported by Victorian and Commonwealth Governments under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) as part of the Gannawarra Community Flood Recovery Program.
ABOVE: Gannawarra Shire Council Community Recovery Support Officer, Sharon McCalman (left), Northern District Community Health Community Health Nurse and Health Promotion Team Leader, Tanya Maher-Toose and Gannawarra Shire Council Manager Community Health, Narelle O'Donoghue at a recent Make a Change Australia event held at Boort.