Our 10 Year Anniversary!!

We are thrilled to announce this year we have our ten year anniversary!! We have quite a bit to celebrate, especially the completion of the full renovation of our Community Centre, lots of progress at our Community Farm, and the completion of a huge number of projects that have helped increase health and wellbeing, build community capacity, resilience and sustainable communities! We have a few different events planned this year such as a monster raffle, a long table lunch, a special Volunteers Morning Tea during Volunteers Week, and a Winder Solstice Bonfire at Oldina. Stay tuned for more details!

Kelly and the rest of the SAP team have been very busy, and have lots more planned between now and the middle of the year. See below for reports of two of their recent events. We thank the Foundation of Rural and Regional Renewal and the Tasmanian Government Drought Resilience grant for funding these events.

Emergency Preparedness Information Expo

On 17^th January 2026, an Emergency Preparedness Info Expo was held at the Sisters Beach Fire Station. The event was delivered by Live Well Tasmania’s Social Activation Program Team (SAP) with a strong collaborative partnership between the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS), Tasmania Police, the State Emergency Service (SES), and the Sisters Beach Fire Station. The primary purpose of the Expo was to educate and empower the Sister’s Beach community with practical knowledge and resources to better prepare for natural disasters in their area.

The event was supported by the presence of key community leaders, including Roger Jaensch MP, Mayor of Waratah/Wynyard Mary Duniam, and Councillor Leanne Raw, whose attendance demonstrated strong local leadership support for community emergency preparedness initiatives.

The key objectives of the Emergency Preparedness Info Expo were to:

• Increase community awareness of local natural disaster risks, including bushfires, storms, and flooding.
• Provide clear, practical information on how individuals and families can prepare for emergencies.
• Strengthen relationships between emergency services and the local community.
• Encourage proactive planning and personal responsibility for emergency preparedness.

The success of the Expo was largely due to the close collaboration between multiple emergency services agencies and local representative. The event was delivered in partnership with:

• Luke, Tasmania Fire Service (TFS)
• Blake, Tasmania Police
• Matt, State Emergency Service (SES)
• Kym, Sisters Beach Fire Station
• Cheryl, Expert in disaster preparedness and go bags
• Jodie, RAW Rural Alive and Well
• Cece, bighART – photographer

Each partner played an important role in planning and delivering information relevant to their area of expertise, ensuring the community received accurate, consistent, and locally relevant advice.

The Sisters Beach community responded positively to the Expo, with attendees actively engaging in conversations, asking questions, and seeking advice tailored to their individual circumstances. The opportunity to speak directly with local emergency service personnel helped build trust and confidence, while reinforcing the importance of being prepared and know what you will do in an emergency. We calculated we had around 60 attendees from the community.

The bushfire preparedness, SES, and Go Bag sessions were particularly well received and highly engaging. Feedback provided directly to organisers highlighted how useful and relevant these sessions were to the Sister’s Beach community. A dedicated Go Bag presentation was delivered by Colby, one of the SAP members, alongside Cheryl Durrant, which also received positive feedback and strong engagement from attendees.

A free community BBQ was held during the event, SAP’s Arnold’s dedicated station on the day and was well received, with many attendees providing positive feedback on the food. The BBQ contributed to a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, encouraging conversation and connection between community members and emergency service representatives.

Overall, the day was considered a well-planned and thoughtfully delivered event. The strong collaboration, positive community engagement, and supportive environment contributed to an enjoyable and informative experience for all involved. A sincere thank you is extended to Luke, Blake, Matt, and Kym for their dedication, support, and commitment in bringing this event to life. Thanks to Cece for the photos. Their efforts, both on the day and behind the scenes in the lead up to the Expo, were instrumental to its success.

Future Council Documentary Event

On 13 December 2025, Live Well Tasmania’s SAP Team delivered a Future Council documentary screening aimed at creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for young people and community members to come together. We enjoyed a shared meal before the event which focused on amplifying youth voice, fostering connection, and encouraging meaningful conversations around wellbeing, climate change, and the future of local communities.

The screening brought together a diverse group of attendees and provided an opportunity for reflection, shared learning, and open discussion. The environment supported honest conversation and encouraged participants to listen to, learn from, and value the perspectives of young people.

The main feature of the event was the screening of a documentary directed by Damon Gameau. The film was engaging, thoughtfully produced, and very well received by the audience. It centred on the lived experiences of young people and provided a powerful platform for them to speak openly about the issues that matter most to them.

By allowing young people to tell their own stories, the documentary reinforced the importance of youth led narratives rather than adults speaking on their behalf. This approach strongly aligned with the values of the Future Council and resonated with attendees, creating a sense of authenticity, understanding, and connection throughout the screening.

Following the documentary, attendees were invited to take part in group discussion and informal conversations. The film acted as a strong and open dialogue, prompting thoughtful discussion around youth leadership, wellbeing, climate change, and the importance of including young people in decision making processes.

Key outcomes from the event included:

• Greater recognition of the value of youth voice and lived experience
• High levels of engagement and positive feedback from participants
• Opportunities for meaningful connection between young people and community members, supporting shared understanding and reflection

The event aligned closely with the objectives of the FRRR Climate Change grant by creating an accessible and engaging opportunity for the Wynyard community to explore climate change and its broader impacts. The documentary format allowed complex issues to be presented in a relatable and supportive way, encouraging participants to reflect on both personal and community level experiences. The film highlighted some of the greatest environmental challenges of our time, including climate change, overconsumption, and environmental degradation. The children confronted leaders directly about the urgency of acting now, not later.

The event fostered intergenerational connection and created space for young people to share their perspectives with confidence. Community members were encouraged to listen, learn, and engage respectfully with youth voices, strengthening collective understanding of climate change and wellbeing at a local level.

Overall, the Future Council documentary screening was a positive and meaningful initiative. The combination of storytelling, youth led voices, and open discussion created an engaging experience that left a lasting impression on attendees. Participants left with a deeper appreciation for the importance of youth led conversations, and a stronger understanding of the vital role young people play in shaping informed, resilient, and connected communities.