It has been a challenging few weeks as severe flooding in Australia’s east has devastated communities and taken lives. I am always struck how, in times of crisis, the human capacity for empathy and the impulse to connect come to the fore. Amidst the images of rampant waters, partially submerged buildings, chaos and destruction came images of strangers sharing food, stranded on a bridge ‘island’. Images of neighbours rescuing neighbour after neighbour in their dinghies. Images of volunteers beginning the long hard clean-up.
I am also struck by how critical the drivers of community and connection are in our formal political and social systems. When our political system focuses on the individual at the expense of communities and connection, the social will and social supports to get people through crises can be lacking. As Cassandra Goldie, CEO of ACOSS wryly noted, “There’s no way we can crowdfund our way out of these disasters, the Government needs to step up…”. Some real wins have been made in the past few days due to persistent advocacy from the social services sector – additional disaster relief payments for example. But I do fear that once again the social services sector, including FRSA members, will be left to bear the weight as people recover from the economic and emotional costs of this disaster. My thoughts are with all those impacted by the floods, and I extend my heartfelt thanks for the incredible work that FRSA members and others in the sector do day in, day out.
International Women’s Day was celebrated this week on 8 March with the theme – #BreakTheBias. It was wonderful to see members celebrating the achievements of women. Here at FRSA, with our small team of four women, it does feel that when we band together, we can achieve an awful lot! Of course, there is so much to be done here in Australia and around the world to ensure true equality for women.
One of our big achievements this year will be the FRSA National Conference coming up in May. We are so excited to be joining with members and friends face-to-face! A reminder that early bird rates end tomorrow (11 March). We hope to see you there.
