MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Mike Wouters, Manager, Fire Science and Mapping at the SA Department of Environment and Water, has announced his retirement, and plans to spend his first fire season in 37 years at home with his family. He has made a significant contribution to bushfire planning and management, predictive service, and knowledge and research utilisation through his involvement in multiple AFAC groups. Most recently he was Chair of the AFAC Predictive Services Group, navigating fast-moving changes after the 2019–20 fires and ensuring connection across the national initiatives currently underway. His personal achievements include winning the Motorola Knowledge Innovation Award in 2018 and co-editing Prescribed Burning in Australasia, released in 2020. Mr Wouters takes pride in knowing that he has encouraged new leaders to emerge and mentored them so that they could step up into working group and secondment roles, and that they now have the confidence to take the sector forward.

Natural Hazards Research

Australia has appointed

Iain MacKenzie AFSM as its new Independent Chair. He brings to the Centre a wealth of experience in emergency management and public safety across both state and federal spheres. He has been in emergency and disaster management over many years, having served as a Deputy Commissioner at Queensland Fire and Rescue Services; Queensland’s inaugural Inspector-General for Emergency Management leading reviews into several large natural hazard disasters; and most recently as Senior Advisor to the former Federal Minister for Emergency Management. Mr MacKenzie steps up from his position as Deputy Chair to replace Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO as Chair.

PAUL WATERHOUSE (FPA AUSTRALIA)

Tel +61 3 8892 3133 paul.waterhouse@fpaa.com.au

ALANA BEITZ (AFAC)

Tel +61 3 9418 5233 alana.beitz@afac.com.au

John Richardson will be joining the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience as Manager, Knowledge Development from late January 2023. He is a highly respected practitioner and advisor, having worked with the Red Cross Emergency Services team for over 16 years with his most recent role as Technical Advisor, Resilience. At the Red Cross, he was instrumental in setting the strategic direction for the Emergency Services team and coordinated response and recovery support for a range of major and minor disasters. Mr Richardson is an influential leader in the fields of preparedness, resilience, and post-disaster recovery, and his expertise is recognised both in Australia and overseas.

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe

AO was the Independent Chair of Natural Hazards Research Australia until November 2022, having previously served as Chair of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC from March 2019. She has a wealth of experience in innovation and research across many sectors. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Academy of Technology and Engineering and holds a PhD in Chemistry (Manchester) and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Technology Sydney. In 2017, Dr Woodthorpe received an Order of Australia for her ongoing service to research and technology innovation in Australia.

FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

AUSTRALIA (FPA AUSTRALIA)

ABN 30 005 366 576

PO Box 1049 Box Hill VIC 3128

Australia

Tel +61 3 8892 3133

Fax +61 3 8892 3132 magazine@fpaa.com.au www.fpaa.com.au

AFAC

ABN 52 060 049 327

Level 1, 340 Albert Street

East Melbourne VIC 3002

Australia

Tel +61 3 9419 2388

Fax +61 3 9419 2389 afac@afac.com.au www.afac.com.au

TO SUBMIT A CONTRIBUTION OR TO ADVERTISE IN FIRE AUSTRALIA, PLEASE CONTACT:

PAUL WATERHOUSE

FPA AUSTRALIA

TEL +61 3 8892 3133 magazine@fpaa.com.au

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