SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dr Daniel Aldrich
Director of Security and Resilience Studies, Northeastern University, USA
Dr Daniel Aldrich
Director of Security and Resilience Studies, Northeastern University, USA
An award winning author, Aldrich has published five books including Building Resilience and Black Wave, more than 90 peer-reviewed articles, and written op-eds for the New York Times, CNN, HuffPost, and many other media outlets. He has spent more than 5 years in India, Japan, and Africa carrying out fieldwork and his work has been funded by the Fulbright Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the Abe Foundation, the Rasmussen Foundation, and the Japan Foundation, among other institutions. In 2021 he was Klein Lecturer at Northeastern University.
Kjell Brataas
International disaster communications expert, Norway
Kjell Brataas
International disaster communications expert, Norway
Kjell Brataas has been on the front lines of crisis communication during some of Norway's most devastating crises. He has held important crisis management positions after the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya in 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
As planning is well underway for the Brisbane Olympics (2032) and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games (2026), it is timely that Kjell can share his knowledge as a member of the international Counter Terrorism Preparedness Network (CTPN). With CTPN, he has studied issues around crisis communications at major sports events.
Brataas has practical experience working with private companies and Norwegian government ministries. He has spoken at crisis communication conferences around the world, including London, Toronto, Istanbul, Sydney and Denver, and has lectured on crisis communication at the university level.
As planning is well underway for the Brisbane Olympics (2032) and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games (2026), it is timely that Kjell can share his knowledge as a member of the international Counter Terrorism Preparedness Network (CTPN). With CTPN, he has studied issues around crisis communications at major sports events.
Brataas has practical experience working with private companies and Norwegian government ministries. He has spoken at crisis communication conferences around the world, including London, Toronto, Istanbul, Sydney and Denver, and has lectured on crisis communication at the university level.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Elly Bird
Director, Resilient Lismore
Elly Bird
Director, Resilient Lismore
Elly Bird is the Executive Director of Resilient Lismore, a community-led organisation leading recovery efforts in Lismore at the epicentre of one of Australia’s worst disasters in living memory; she is also a Councillor on Lismore City Council. She is a prominent community leader with lived experience in community-led initiatives across multiple events; flooding in 2017 and 2021; bushfires in 2019-20; the Covid-19 pandemic and now, the 2022 floods. She is deeply engaged in the complexities of building community resilience to better enable communities to withstand the shock of disasters and she is passionate about the critical need for effective partnership between governments and communities as climate change becomes increasingly prevalent in our daily lives.
Dr Kate Brady
Technical Adviser, Australia Red Cross |
Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
Dr Kate Brady
Technical Adviser, Australia Red Cross | Research Fellow - Community Resilience, University of Melbourne
Dr. Kate Brady has had a distinguished career over the past decade in disaster recovery operations, programming and research. After establishing and leading the Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery program for 12 years, Kate is now a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne and a technical adviser to Australian Red Cross and other organisations.
Most of Kate’s work focuses on what people find helpful and unhelpful after disasters. Throughout her career, Kate has had significant influence on State and National emergency management policy and has an international profile in collective trauma, risk and resilience and in disaster recovery program evaluations. In 2021, she became the host for ABC’s podcast ‘After the Disaster’.
Most of Kate’s work focuses on what people find helpful and unhelpful after disasters. Throughout her career, Kate has had significant influence on State and National emergency management policy and has an international profile in collective trauma, risk and resilience and in disaster recovery program evaluations. In 2021, she became the host for ABC’s podcast ‘After the Disaster’.
Joe Buffone
Deputy Coordinator General, Emergency Management & Response Group, National Emergency Management Agency
Joe Buffone
Deputy Coordinator General, Emergency Management & Response Group, National Emergency Management Agency
Joe is the Deputy Coordinator General of the Emergency Management and Response Group of the newly formed National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). He previously held the position of Director General of Emergency Management Australia (EMA) since October 2020 having been with EMA since December 2016 and had held multiple roles within the organisation. As Deputy Coordinator General, Joe is responsible for overseeing the Australian Government National Situation Room and Coordination of Australian Government Disaster Assistance (non-financial).
Joe has more than 30 years’ experience in security and disaster management and has held a number of key senior positions.
This year, he was appointed co-lead of the Exotic Animal Diseases Preparedness Joint Interagency Taskforce to undertake planning and preparedness across federal government, jurisdictions and industry in response to a possible incursion of foot and mouth disease or lumpy skin disease. Joe was deployed to Victoria in 2020 to establish and lead the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre to coordinate the response to COVID outbreaks in the Aged Care sector. Joe led the centre for 3 months until the situation was stabilised and transitioned to recovery.
Joe has held several senior executive positions over the past 15 years, such as Chief Officer of the Victorian Country Fire Authority, Deputy Emergency Management Commissioner Victoria, Deputy Emergency Services Commissioner, Victoria.
Joe has had direct involvement in coordinating and responding to major emergencies in Australia and internationally, at the Strategic, Operational and Tactical levels. Some examples are; Leading the 2022 Floods response, Victorian Aged Care Response Centre 2020, Black Summer 2019-20, Far North Queensland Floods 2018-19, Cyclone Debbie 2017, Tasmanian Bushfires 2016, Wye River Bushfires 2016, Nepal Earth Quake 2015, Somerton Building Waste Fire 2015, Hazelwood Mine Fire 2014, NSW Bushfires 2014, 2011 Victorian Floods and 2009 Black Saturday Fires in Victoria. He was deployed internationally to support an AUSMAT team deployment post the 2017 earthquake. Joe has also served in the Australian Defence Force.
Joe holds a Masters of Business, Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management, and a Diploma in Security Management.
Joe has more than 30 years’ experience in security and disaster management and has held a number of key senior positions.
This year, he was appointed co-lead of the Exotic Animal Diseases Preparedness Joint Interagency Taskforce to undertake planning and preparedness across federal government, jurisdictions and industry in response to a possible incursion of foot and mouth disease or lumpy skin disease. Joe was deployed to Victoria in 2020 to establish and lead the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre to coordinate the response to COVID outbreaks in the Aged Care sector. Joe led the centre for 3 months until the situation was stabilised and transitioned to recovery.
Joe has held several senior executive positions over the past 15 years, such as Chief Officer of the Victorian Country Fire Authority, Deputy Emergency Management Commissioner Victoria, Deputy Emergency Services Commissioner, Victoria.
Joe has had direct involvement in coordinating and responding to major emergencies in Australia and internationally, at the Strategic, Operational and Tactical levels. Some examples are; Leading the 2022 Floods response, Victorian Aged Care Response Centre 2020, Black Summer 2019-20, Far North Queensland Floods 2018-19, Cyclone Debbie 2017, Tasmanian Bushfires 2016, Wye River Bushfires 2016, Nepal Earth Quake 2015, Somerton Building Waste Fire 2015, Hazelwood Mine Fire 2014, NSW Bushfires 2014, 2011 Victorian Floods and 2009 Black Saturday Fires in Victoria. He was deployed internationally to support an AUSMAT team deployment post the 2017 earthquake. Joe has also served in the Australian Defence Force.
Joe holds a Masters of Business, Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management, and a Diploma in Security Management.
Madeleine Dignam
Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Risk Management Directorate
Madeleine Dignam
Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Risk Management Directorate
Madeleine Dignam is the Community Outreach Program Manager at the Hawkesbury Nepean Flood Risk Management Directorate - she leads a program of work focused on vulnerable communities with the highest risk from flooding. This program has developed nine partnership projects focused on social housing tenants, those living with a disability in their own homes, those in CALD communities, aged care residents, families at risk, young people in childcare, animal owners and tenants in caravan parks. These collaborative projects have been developed with the combined expertise of local community service providers, academics, emergency services and state and local government .Madeleine has just returned from a two month secondment to Resilience NSW supporting flood recovery work in Hawkesbury-Nepean following the March 2021 flood event. Madeleine has worked in community and stakeholder engagement for the last twenty years, mostly in natural resource management (water).
Erin Edwards
Senior Journalist, Seven Network Brisbane
Erin Edwards
Senior Journalist, Seven Network Brisbane
Wendy Graham
Project Lead, Recovery Exercising Toolkit, NEMA
Wendy Graham
Project Lead, Recovery Exercising Toolkit, NEMA
Wendy is an experienced government senior executive with over twenty years’ experience in the community and emergency management sectors, working across local, state, and federal governments and the non-government sector. Wendy has a strong history in emergency management, with a focus on community recovery and resilience. She has previously held the positions of NSW Deputy State Emergency Recovery Controller and the NSW State Welfare Services Functional Area Coordinator. Wendy has had key roles in numerous disaster recovery operations in NSW, including the Black Summer Bushfires 2019/20 where she was responsible for coordinating community recovery teams in 33 local government areas and establishing the NSW Community Recovery Officer Program and the NSW Bushfire Recovery Support Services Program. Wendy is currently the National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NEMA) Project Lead for the Recovery Exercising Toolkit which was published on the AIDR Knowledge Hub in February this year.
Bec Hogan
Emergency Digital Coordinator, ABC Emergency
Bec Hogan
Emergency Digital Coordinator, ABC Emergency
Rebecca ‘Bec’ Hogan works for the Emergency Team inside the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A small team who coordinates the national broadcaster’s emergency coverage.
Bec is a Digital Coordinator, specialising in communications on social media and online platforms. She has worked hard to ensure that all Australians can access ABC emergency information, specifically by using her lived experience of disability combined with her extensive knowledge of digital access.
Bec is the deputy-chair ABC inclusive, the ABC’s employee network for people with disability and allies. In 2022 she won the National Awards for Disability Leadership award for Change Making for her work in making the ABC’s Emergency broadcasting more accessible to the disability community.
Bec is a Digital Coordinator, specialising in communications on social media and online platforms. She has worked hard to ensure that all Australians can access ABC emergency information, specifically by using her lived experience of disability combined with her extensive knowledge of digital access.
Bec is the deputy-chair ABC inclusive, the ABC’s employee network for people with disability and allies. In 2022 she won the National Awards for Disability Leadership award for Change Making for her work in making the ABC’s Emergency broadcasting more accessible to the disability community.
Robyn Kirby
Manager, Peer Support Programs, Fire & Emergency Services Support Network, QFES
A/Prof Anne Lane
Educator and Researcher, School of advertising, marketing and public relations, Faculty of Businees and law
Anne lectures at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, QUT Business School. She teaches in areas including public relations theory, techniques, and management, and community consultation and engagement. Anne worked in public relations in England for clients including the Rugby Football Union and British Coal. In 1997 she moved back to Australia, where she gained a Bachelor’s degree in Communication (including the Griffith University medal), and a first class Honours degree in Arts. She joined Bond University as a Postgraduate Fellow at the end of 2004, before moving on to her current role at QUT in July 2006. Anne's PhD analysed the role of dialogue in relationships between organisations and publics, and the significance of the gaps between theory and practice in the conduct of this dialogue. She has reviewed academic submissions to international journals such as PR Research, PR Review, and the Australian Journal of Emergency Management. Anne has also acted as a reviewer for academic conferences including the annual conferences of the International Communication Association, the National Communication Association, and the research colloquium of the Public Relations Institute of Australia. Anne has also made presentations on public relations-related topics to non-academic audiences, such as the Queensland Council of Carers, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and Community Employment Australia.
A/Professor Anne Lane
Educator and Researcher, Queensland University of Technology
A/Prof Anne Lane
Educator and Researcher, School of advertising, marketing and public relations, Faculty of Businees and law
Anne lectures at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, QUT Business School. She teaches in areas including public relations theory, techniques, and management, and community consultation and engagement. Anne worked in public relations in England for clients including the Rugby Football Union and British Coal. In 1997 she moved back to Australia, where she gained a Bachelor’s degree in Communication (including the Griffith University medal), and a first class Honours degree in Arts. She joined Bond University as a Postgraduate Fellow at the end of 2004, before moving on to her current role at QUT in July 2006. Anne's PhD analysed the role of dialogue in relationships between organisations and publics, and the significance of the gaps between theory and practice in the conduct of this dialogue. She has reviewed academic submissions to international journals such as PR Research, PR Review, and the Australian Journal of Emergency Management. Anne has also acted as a reviewer for academic conferences including the annual conferences of the International Communication Association, the National Communication Association, and the research colloquium of the Public Relations Institute of Australia. Anne has also made presentations on public relations-related topics to non-academic audiences, such as the Queensland Council of Carers, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and Community Employment Australia.
Dave McLenaghan
Media, Communications & Online, Queensland Fire & Emergency Services
Dave McLenaghan
Media, Communications & Online, Queensland Fire & Emergency Services
Dave McLenaghan had two passions growing up in Sydney: playing sport and watching it. A career as a sports broadcaster ensued. After he completed a Bachelor of Sports Media degree at the University of Canberra, Dave moved to the USA to work at 'the worldwide leader in sports', ESPN. Two years aboard sharpening his skillset alongside some of the world's best sports journalists catapulted Dave into Queensland as the face of sport on WIN News. From producing bulletins, to reporting and eventually reading, Dave anchored approximately 5,000 news bulletins and clocked up countless hours of LIVE TV experience. His expertise and versatility paved the way for a role with NRL powerhouse, Melbourne Storm as the inaugural Media and Communications Manager of its professional netball club, Sunshine Coast Lightning. Dave oversaw the club's entire media and communications strategy and grew its social media presence exponentially as the side soared to the premiership title in season one. With the club established and the silverware secure, Dave joined the Queensland government in the Fire and Emergency Services' Media Unit where he worked through severe events like the 2018 and 2019 bushfire seasons, the 2019 north Queensland monsoonal event and the Brisbane floods of 2022. His effort and commitment to keeping Queenslanders informed and safe during natural disasters was honoured with a prestigious National Emergency Medal. Dave is currently a Media Supervisor in the Media, Communications and Online branch.
Prof Iain MacKenzie AFSM
Professor of Practice, Disaster Management, Griffith University | Chair, NHRA
Prof Iain MacKenzie AFSM
Professor of Practice, Disaster Management, Griffith University | Chair, NHRA
Professor of Practice in Disaster Management with Griffith University, Iain’s approach and values have been shaped by forty years in the Public Safety sector. Iain is passionate about improving outcomes for people and their communities. Iain’s mantra is that it doesn’t matter how we feel about the job we have done, what matters is how the community feels about what we have done.
As Deputy Commissioner of Fire & Rescue Services, Queensland’s Inspector-General Emergency Management, leading reviews into some of the Nation’s largest natural disasters and as Senior Advisor to the Commonwealth’s Minister for Emergency Management, Iain has been at the centre of how emergency and disaster management has evolved over many years. He is recognised for expertise in the fields of disaster management, disaster risk reduction and resilience building, having led reviews into some of the Nation’s largest natural disasters.
Iain is a long-term professional in the field, regularly dealing with all levels of government, the tertiary sector and serving on NFP boards.
Iain holds a master’s Degree in leadership and Management (Policing), has been and adjunct professor and Industry Fellow with Griffith University for a number of years and is recognised for expertise in the fields of disaster management, disaster risk reduction and resilience building.
Iain is an accomplished public speaker and presenter, having delivered international development programs here and abroad and presented at national and international conferences on change leadership, disaster management, and strategic planning.
Iain is a long-term professional in the field, regularly dealing with all levels of government, the tertiary sector and serving on NFP boards.
Iain holds a master’s Degree in leadership and Management (Policing), has been and adjunct professor and Industry Fellow with Griffith University for a number of years and is recognised for expertise in the fields of disaster management, disaster risk reduction and resilience building.
Iain is an accomplished public speaker and presenter, having delivered international development programs here and abroad and presented at national and international conferences on change leadership, disaster management, and strategic planning.
Naomi Moran
General Manager, Koori Mail
Naomi Moran
General Manager, Koori Mail
Naomi Moran is a Nyangbal, Arakwal and Dunghutti woman from New South Wales, and is the General Manager of Australia’s only independent Indigenous newspaper, the Koori Mail. Her career in Indigenous media spans over 20 years, and includes experience in print, television and radio. At just fourteen years old, in April 1998, Naomi joined the Koori Mail as a trainee office worker, which resulted in a ten-year journey working for the paper in various roles and departments throughout the business including advertising, sales, marketing and editorial. In 2008 she pursued her career goals in Indigenous Media, joining the communications team at NITV, Australia’s only Indigenous TV station, and then went on to explore working in radio with a joint position with both the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association and the National Indigenous Radio Service, in Brisbane. In April 2016, Naomi returned to the Koori Mail, with the Koori Mail Board of Directors appointing her as General Manager. Naomi has a passion for supporting Indigenous youth with employment and career pathways, by developing and delivering in-school programs and mentoring for students throughout the northern NSW region.
Michelle Moss
CEO, Queenslanders with Disability Network
Michelle Moss
CEO, Queenslanders with Disability Network
Michelle Moss has recently been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Queensland with Disability Network. She has worked in the human services sector for almost 30 years including disability, health, and domestic violence.
Michelle has worked in both Government and non-Government sectors in a variety of roles including direct support work, complex behaviour support, policy, training and education, consumer and community engagement and project management. Her work is founded on a strong commitment to ensuring the voice of people is part of the public policy and the design, planning and evaluation of services and systems.
About QDN:
QDN is a state-wide network of, for, and by people with diverse disability. The network regularly brings members together to discuss relevant social policy issues that impact upon their lives. QDN has 30 peer support groups led by people with disability for people with disability that meet face to face and virtually across the state. QDN also undertakes specific project work to address gaps and impacts of services and systems to deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders with disability.
Michelle has worked in both Government and non-Government sectors in a variety of roles including direct support work, complex behaviour support, policy, training and education, consumer and community engagement and project management. Her work is founded on a strong commitment to ensuring the voice of people is part of the public policy and the design, planning and evaluation of services and systems.
About QDN:
QDN is a state-wide network of, for, and by people with diverse disability. The network regularly brings members together to discuss relevant social policy issues that impact upon their lives. QDN has 30 peer support groups led by people with disability for people with disability that meet face to face and virtually across the state. QDN also undertakes specific project work to address gaps and impacts of services and systems to deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders with disability.
Insp. Ben Shepherd
A. Media Manager, NSW Rural Fire Service
Insp. Ben Shepherd
Acting Media Manager, NSW Rural Fire Service
Inspector Benjamin Shepherd has been a volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) for almost 30 years and a staff member since 2006. Inspector Shepherd joined the NSW RFS after experiencing the impact of bush fires on his local area in 1994.
During this time, Inspector Shepherd has held a number of roles within the Terrey Hills Rural Fire Brigade, including Captain, Senior Deputy Captain, Deputy Captain and President. He remains an active member of the Brigade.
In 2006, Inspector Shepherd commenced in a salaried role in the NSW RFS State Operations fulfilling a long-time dream of turning his passion into his career In 2008 he commenced with the Media Services section in a temporary capacity. Since then, he has been a valued member of the team including as a Media Officer and most recently as Acting Manager of the Media and Communications section. He is the longest serving member of the media team.
Inspector Shepherd regularly performs the role of State Public Liaison Officer during major fire events, liaising with Public Liaison Officers in the field, and assisting with the delivery of information and warnings to fire affected communities.
Inspector Shepherd has also provided on-the-ground assistance to media outlets and members at major incidents, as a Media Liaison Officer.
In October 2013, Inspector Shepherd was on the ground in the Blue Mountains during the fires which destroyed more than 200 homes in a single day, liaising with media, and at times reassuring residents who had been impacted by the fires. In March 2018, Inspector Shepherd was deployed to the Bega Valley bush fires which impacted the community of Tathra on the far south coast of NSW.
Across 2019/20 Fire season Inspector Shepherd filled roles in both the State Operations centre as well as field liaison during critical moments across the fire season. Over this time Inspector Shepherd has undertaken countless media interviews across all channels providing critical advice, information and warnings during bush fire emergencies.
During the quieter winter periods Ben facilitates and delivers the highly-regarded training to media personnel wishing to access a live fire ground Inspector Shepherd regularly acts as a spokesperson for the NSW RFS, providing clear and concise information to the community through various media platforms.
During this time, Inspector Shepherd has held a number of roles within the Terrey Hills Rural Fire Brigade, including Captain, Senior Deputy Captain, Deputy Captain and President. He remains an active member of the Brigade.
In 2006, Inspector Shepherd commenced in a salaried role in the NSW RFS State Operations fulfilling a long-time dream of turning his passion into his career In 2008 he commenced with the Media Services section in a temporary capacity. Since then, he has been a valued member of the team including as a Media Officer and most recently as Acting Manager of the Media and Communications section. He is the longest serving member of the media team.
Inspector Shepherd regularly performs the role of State Public Liaison Officer during major fire events, liaising with Public Liaison Officers in the field, and assisting with the delivery of information and warnings to fire affected communities.
Inspector Shepherd has also provided on-the-ground assistance to media outlets and members at major incidents, as a Media Liaison Officer.
In October 2013, Inspector Shepherd was on the ground in the Blue Mountains during the fires which destroyed more than 200 homes in a single day, liaising with media, and at times reassuring residents who had been impacted by the fires. In March 2018, Inspector Shepherd was deployed to the Bega Valley bush fires which impacted the community of Tathra on the far south coast of NSW.
Across 2019/20 Fire season Inspector Shepherd filled roles in both the State Operations centre as well as field liaison during critical moments across the fire season. Over this time Inspector Shepherd has undertaken countless media interviews across all channels providing critical advice, information and warnings during bush fire emergencies.
During the quieter winter periods Ben facilitates and delivers the highly-regarded training to media personnel wishing to access a live fire ground Inspector Shepherd regularly acts as a spokesperson for the NSW RFS, providing clear and concise information to the community through various media platforms.
Jodie Richter
Senior Communications and Policy Officer, Ipswich City Council
Jodie Richter
Senior Communications and Policy Officer, Ipswich City Council
Jodie Richter is a media and communications professional with more than two decades of experience across the public and private sectors.
Jodie is currently based in the Office of the Mayor at Ipswich City Council, overseeing the media, communications and strategic advice for Mayor Teresa Harding. Previously, Jodie had been an integral part of Council’s media team for six years, most recently as Media Manager.
During her time in local government, Jodie has overseen communications in several emergency and disaster events including the Springfield Halloween Hailstorm, COVID-19 pandemic, fires and floods.
Jodie is an experienced leader in her field, having received prestigious Walkley and Clarion awards for her extensive work with NewsCorp and various daily newspapers.
Jodie is currently based in the Office of the Mayor at Ipswich City Council, overseeing the media, communications and strategic advice for Mayor Teresa Harding. Previously, Jodie had been an integral part of Council’s media team for six years, most recently as Media Manager.
During her time in local government, Jodie has overseen communications in several emergency and disaster events including the Springfield Halloween Hailstorm, COVID-19 pandemic, fires and floods.
Jodie is an experienced leader in her field, having received prestigious Walkley and Clarion awards for her extensive work with NewsCorp and various daily newspapers.
Trinette Stevens
A. Director of Media and Corporate Communications, ueensland Ambulance Service
Trinette Stevens
Acting Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Queensland Ambulance Service
Trinette Stevens is currently Acting Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).
Originally a regional journalist from Central Queensland with tertiary qualifications in Medical Science, Trinette has been working in the government media and communications sector since 2017.
She has carved a niche in health and crisis communications since her first advisor role at Queensland’s largest hospital, RBWH, and has since worked for Metro North Hospital and Health Service, mental health charity White Cloud Foundation, Queensland Health, Ambulance Victoria, and private health fund Medibank Private before moving to QAS.
She led the Media and Issues team during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and worked alongside some of Queensland’s greatest clinicians, policy leaders and health experts on the COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce.
Now leading the introduction and rollout of internal and online communications at the QAS, an expansion of the service’s celebrated external media team, Trinette is passionate about access, equity and education.
Originally a regional journalist from Central Queensland with tertiary qualifications in Medical Science, Trinette has been working in the government media and communications sector since 2017.
She has carved a niche in health and crisis communications since her first advisor role at Queensland’s largest hospital, RBWH, and has since worked for Metro North Hospital and Health Service, mental health charity White Cloud Foundation, Queensland Health, Ambulance Victoria, and private health fund Medibank Private before moving to QAS.
She led the Media and Issues team during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and worked alongside some of Queensland’s greatest clinicians, policy leaders and health experts on the COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce.
Now leading the introduction and rollout of internal and online communications at the QAS, an expansion of the service’s celebrated external media team, Trinette is passionate about access, equity and education.
Chantelle Rule-Murphy
Executive Manager, Media Team, QLD Fire and Emergency Services
Chantelle Rule-Murphy
A/Executive Manager, Media Team, QLD Fire and Emergencey Services
Amanda Rosman
Emergency Manager Coordinator, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Amanda Rosman
Emergency Manager Coordinator, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Amanda has been in Disaster Management for 16 years. She has just spent 13 years with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services as an Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) for which she was responsible for coordinating the commitment and implementation of initiatives to enhance the resilience of local communities and agencies within this region. This was achieved through adopting a consistent risk management approach in the provision of quality disaster management training, expert advice, capability building, response and support to the Queensland Disaster Management framework and stakeholders in all emergency phases – Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery (PPRR). Amanda has just recently been seconded to Queensland Police Service to assist with the transition of Disaster Management from QFES to QPS through the reform implementation taskforce.
Dr Mel Taylor
Occupational Psychologist and Associate Professor, Macquarie University | NHRA
Dr Mel Taylor
Occupational Psychologist and Associate Professor, Macquarie University | NHRA
Dr Mel Taylor is an Occupational Psychologist and Associate Professor at Macquarie University. Her research focusses on human behaviour in natural hazards emergencies, terrorism, and emergency animal diseases. Most recently, Mel has been leading a Natural Hazards Research Australia funded project on community experiences of the 2022 eastern Australian floods.
Peter Tully
Independent Peer Mentor Capacity Builder | Queenslanders with Disability Network board member
Peter Tully
Independent Peer Mentor Capacity Builder | Queenslanders with Disability Network board member
From an IT business in an inner suburb of Brisbane to campaigning with Every Australian Counts, Peter maintains his dream to see people with disability flourish.
Peter, with his wife Linda, joined Queenslanders with a Disability Network (QDN) which led to Peter’s work in community advocacy. Together, Linda and Peter shine a focus on people with disability within their community.
Peter plays a prominent role in the development of disability awareness, advocating at every point of community connections and at all levels of government. In working with people either one-on-one or in workshop format, Peter likes to create a ‘safe zone’, that is, an environment where people are free to speak and so begin their journey to a more inclusive lifestyle.
In his work towards building inclusive communities, Peter represents on the QDN Board, QDeNgage, numerous committees, government and industry roundtables and enquiries. Peter is a member of the Queensland Disability Advisory Council (QDAC) and the NDIS Industry Advisory Council (IAC).
Peter was selected to make representation to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
In his position with DCA Mentoring Supports Peter continues to value inclusion, building participants’ capabilities, and promoting awareness. Peter sees that to impact on disadvantage our focus needs to be on building capability and awareness.
Peter, with his wife Linda, joined Queenslanders with a Disability Network (QDN) which led to Peter’s work in community advocacy. Together, Linda and Peter shine a focus on people with disability within their community.
Peter plays a prominent role in the development of disability awareness, advocating at every point of community connections and at all levels of government. In working with people either one-on-one or in workshop format, Peter likes to create a ‘safe zone’, that is, an environment where people are free to speak and so begin their journey to a more inclusive lifestyle.
In his work towards building inclusive communities, Peter represents on the QDN Board, QDeNgage, numerous committees, government and industry roundtables and enquiries. Peter is a member of the Queensland Disability Advisory Council (QDAC) and the NDIS Industry Advisory Council (IAC).
Peter was selected to make representation to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
In his position with DCA Mentoring Supports Peter continues to value inclusion, building participants’ capabilities, and promoting awareness. Peter sees that to impact on disadvantage our focus needs to be on building capability and awareness.
Todd Saunders
Acting Director, Media and Public Affairs, Queensland Police Service
Todd Saunders
Acting Director, Media and Public Affairs, Queensland Police Service
A/Professor Michelle Villeneuve
Deputy Director, Impact Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney
Associate Professor Michelle Villeneuve
Deputy Director, Impact Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney
Associate Professor Michelle Villeneuve is the Deputy Director at The University of Sydney Impact Centre for Disability Research and Policy. Michelle leads the Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) research program. Michelle has over 20 years of experience working in regions of conflict and natural hazard disaster to develop community-led services and re-build opportunities for people with disability, including those acquired by human conflict and natural disaster. Michelle leads an international program of research that addresses inequities that people with disability experience in everyday living and situations of natural hazard disaster and other emergencies. Michelle is leading the development of Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) in Australia - bringing together health, community, disability and emergency services sectors to establish cross-sector DIDRR policy and practice. Her partnership research keeps people with disability and their support needs at the centre of development and change.