New podcast Stepping Up tells stories of Bega Valley leaders after fires

In the wake of the Black Summer bushfires, it was the local people who stepped up and took control of their region’s recovery.

The Bega Valley was one of the areas devastated by the blazes in late 2019 and 2020 before it embarked on a long journey of healing.

This is the background to a new podcast, Stepping Up, which launched this weekend.

The four-episode series, produced by Bega Valley Shire Council, shares stories about how the region’s not-for-profit sector developed new skills over the past two years and harnessed these to build new collaborations and strengthen community-led projects.

“Since the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program began in February 2023 … more than 500 representatives from almost 150 local organisations have attended workshops, expos, leadership programs and networking events,” council’s community and cultural services manager Anne Cleverley said.

“These were all aimed at supporting the not-for-profit sector to build capacity following the Black Summer bushfires.

“In Stepping Up, the experience of people involved in IRCF activities are shared, highlighting what is possible in community when disaster or disruption motivates positive change.”

Leah Szanto was the project lead, Shona Hawkes provided scripting and the principal production was by award-winning podcaster Craig Garrett.

“We wanted to highlight how amazing our community is and what can be achieved through community-led, place-based initiatives,” Ms Szanto said.

“Recovery is not a short-term thing in a post-bushfire setting.

“Many local NFPs have found innovative ways to collaborate as they’ve turned their attention to being more sustainable as organisations and better prepared for future disasters.”

She said the impact of the IRCF program over the past couple of years was huge and she and her team wanted to capture some of the experiences and outcomes and share them.

“Many people who participated in the program felt it was a game-changer – the drive and positivity that came from working collaboratively across the not-for-profit sector has had real momentum,” Ms Szanto said.

“I think the stories we’ve been able to share are a testament to the way our community has been able to thrive and adapt following disaster and I hope that might spark inspiration in others.”

The 13 interviewees include Vanessa Spinelli from social enterprise Grow the Future, Anna Lindstrand from animal sanctuary Potoroo Palace and Alex Boulgakov from Sustainable Bermagui.

“[T]hese women and the organisations they’re dedicated to have all found innovative ways to engage and support the community to be happier, healthier and better connected,” Ms Szanto said.

“I learnt a lot about the difficulties the not-for-profit sector faces and was really inspired by how our emerging leaders have adapted following disasters.

“I think their willingness to work collaboratively for the greater good of the whole community will mean our region is better resourced and prepared for future challenges.”

IRCF was funded by the Australian Government and delivered with council, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

People and portfolio lead at the FRRR, Deb Samuels, said recognition of the Bega Valley IRCF program as a finalist in the recent NSW Resilient Australia Awards was a testament to the outcomes driven by local facilitators.

“I am in awe of the number of initiatives that have been facilitated for the not-for-profit sector and the community-led projects that have grown from the program,” she said.

“The Stepping Up podcast shares some fantastic stories, showing what can be possible when a place-based approach to building resilience is embraced.”

Stepping Up was launched in Bega on Friday (25 October).

You can listen to the podcast by clicking here or by searching for it wherever you get your podcasts.