Looking on with support is Anglesea CFA Captain Andy Rankin who passes the helmet of leadership on to his son Elliot.
Elliot, an Anglesea Primary School student participating in the Anglesea Fire Education Initiative along with his fellow Grade 6 and Grade 5 peers, is photographed trying on and stepping into the role and gear as a leader in fire for their local community.
Over two years the students learn about fire in their local landscape before becoming their communities fire educators with the message for their community to “survive and thrive” before, during and after bush fire.
A community driven project, the Anglesea Fire Education Initiative is a partnership between Anglesea Fire Brigade and the Anglesea Primary School.
The partnership arose from a mutual vision to create a generational change in our community through our primary school kids; it commenced in 2013, however it is founded on strong and long formed relationships between the brigade members and the school spanning decades.
“After the Ashes” project is a photographic exhibition of stunning B&W portraits of these involved and a series of interviews; led by the students, of locals and other people who have experienced bushfire.
The photographs by Rebecca Hosking in the “After the Ashes” exhibition capture the first cohort to be part of the Anglesea Fire Education Initiative and those they interviewed. The photographic portion of the project consisted of 19 x portraits and 23 x prints.
The photos have been self-published into a book title “Survive and Thrive”, created in honour of the award.
Featured throughout the book are the images from this project and some messages to get you thinking what you might need to consider to “Survive and Thrive” before, during and after a bushfire.
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD, WINNER, 2015 RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARDS:
Rebecca Hosking received the State and National Photographic award for 2015 Resilient Australia Awards, and was presented the National Award at the official ceremony at Parliament House, on Monday the 23rd of November 2015. Accompanying her is Andy and Elliot Rankin, from Anglesea, who are the subject of her winning photograph.
Rebecca said it is “a day of gratitude and honour to receive the award and privilege to share the experience of the award with the two wonderful people I took the photo of.
It was particularly meaningful to receive the award within the walls of Parliament House, under the Australian flag, where principal decisions and values are upheld.
It’s important to me that the Surf Coast is being recognized and represented on a National level and I was humbly proud to be a part of that.
Photography is a powerful medium and yesterday was an indication of the recognition of how art has the continuing power to positively influence, move, engage and share ideas with others.
It also meant that we were able to continue to raise awareness of the important work being done by organizations, community, and the individuals on the Surf Coast, and especially of the Anglesea Fire Education Initiative.”
SURVIVE & THRIVE
A community driven project, the Anglesea Fire Education Initiative is a partnership between Anglesea Fire Brigade and the Anglesea Primary School. The partnership arose from a mutual vision to create a generational change in our community through our primary school kids.
2015 Resilient Australia Awards
Article Key to a more resilient Australia is recognising that resilience is not just the domain of the emergency services, but also business, community organisations and individuals. By celebrating innovation and best practice, the Resilient Australia Awards showcase work that is often unrecognised, inspiring others to think about how they can be more disaster resilient.
Victoria’s Rebecca Hosking wins National Resilient Australia photography award
Photographer Rebecca Hosking, from Aireys Inlet, has won the 2015 National Resilient Australia Photography Award for her powerful image of optimism ‘Helmet of Leadership Values’. The picture depicts Andy Rankin, of the Anglesea Country Fire Authority, handing his captain’s helmet to his son Elliot as part of Elliot’s participation in the Anglesea Fire Education Initiative.