In October, Plan C partnered with the Hunter Community Alliance and the Ned Foundation for a day of learning, reflection and practical planning.

Facilitated by Plan C founder Dr Jean Renouf, the workshop brought together people from across the Hunter region to explore the challenges of a changing climate and what they could do locally to prepare.

With a strong El Niño underway and summer approaching, many people are understandably wondering what the coming months might bring.

While El Niño often increases the likelihood of hotter, drier conditions in parts of Australia, it doesn't determine our weather. Floods, storms and heavy rainfall can still occur, and other climate influences can change what we experience locally.

What happens when young people are given the knowledge, skills and confidence to respond to a disaster?

In September, our Surviving Disasters team spent four days with the Student Council at Wollumbin High School in Murwillumbah, exploring disaster preparedness, community resilience and the important role young people can play in supporting their communities.

After 18 months of training across the Northern Rivers, we’ve now completed this phase of our Community Carers and Responders (CCR) program, delivered with the generous support of Healthy North Coast.

Last week, Sam and Rena joined grassroots resilience groups from across the region for the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance Gathering at Ballina Beach Nature Resort.

We had a very special day at the Jubullum NAIDOC Celebration, celebrating Wahlabul culture, history and people alongside the Jubullum community.

Plan C, in partnership with PCYC QLD Emergency Services Cadets and QLD Kids Partnership (formerly Thriving Kids), received great feedback from their poster presentation at the AIDR conference last month.

It’s been a big few months for Surviving Disasters, with young people across the Northern Rivers building practical skills, sharing their perspectives and helping us shape where the program goes next.

We’re pretty thrilled to share that our Surviving Disasters youth resilience program has been named a finalist in the 2026 Resilient Australia Awards NSW! And Plan C has also been named a finalist in the Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards, in the Outstanding Community Organisation category!