National Taskforce for Creative Recovery confirms ongoing collaboration; welcomes Jacqui Cristiano as Chair

Collaboration and innovation are vital to tackling the challenges of disaster planning , according to a cross-industry body that brings together key influencers in disaster management, government and the arts.

The National Taskforce for Creative Recovery has been reinstated by the Creative Recovery Network, welcoming National Emergency Manager Agency Director, Jacqui Cristiano as Chair, alongside new taskforce members from the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, Creative Australia, Australian Red Cross and Fire to Flourish.

Founded on the knowledge that disaster resilience is a collective responsibility, the taskforce brings together representatives from a variety of sectors to combine skills, knowledge and experience to build a greater understanding of the role of arts-based programs in strengthening recovery capability and advocate for their inclusion in disaster planning.

Creative Recovery Network Chair, Jillian Edwards, said: “We are delighted that Jacqui has accepted our invitation to Chair the Taskforce. Jacqui brings a wealth of experience in cross-sector collaboration through her role with the National Emergency Management Agency. I am grateful for Jacqui’s leadership and that of our current and returning taskforce members. Their commitment to working together to strengthen disaster preparedness in Australia is inspiring.”

“Bringing a diverse range of voices to the table from different sectors and backgrounds is key to achieving transformative change and finding new paradigms to face the challenges of the climate emergency. I am grateful to our new and returning members for their commitment to the taskforce and look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen disaster planning in Australia.”

Taskforce Chair and National Emergency Management Agency Director, Crisis Planning and Response, Jacqui Cristiano, said: “It is imperative that we build collaborative approaches to the challenges being faced by communities in this era of frequently occurring disasters. The National Taskforce for Creative Recovery is a vehicle through which we can harness ideas and wisdom from multiple sectors and work together to enact change and I am delighted to be involved as Chair.”

The first meeting of the new iteration of the taskforce took place in August, with representatives coming together to discuss key challenges they are facing in their sector and plan towards building a greater understanding of the role of culture and the arts in strengthening recovery capability.

Established by Creative Recovery Network in 2022 and initially supported supported by the industry collaborations stream of Australia Council’s Re-imagine: Sector Recovery Initiatives fund. The original one-year engagement of the taskforce concluded with the release of a series of recommendations calling for arts-based programs for community wellbeing to be embedded in the vital work of disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

Several members of the original taskforce along with new members representing a range of sectors have agreed to continue, working in partnership with colleagues across government, service organisations, the private sector and within communities to advocate for the implementation of the recommendations.

The members of the National Taskforce for Creative Recovery are:

Jacqui Cristiano (Chair)

Director – Crisis Planning and Response, National Crisis Operations Branch, Emergency Management and Response Group,

National Emergency Management Agency

Christen Cornell

Research Fellow and Manager – Research Partnerships, Development and Partnerships

Creative Australia

Jillian Edwards

Chair, Creative Recovery Network

Natalie Egleton

CEO, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal

Kim Howland

Manager Community Services, Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)

representing the Australian Local Government Association

Dr Margaret Moreton

Executive Director

Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

Matt McNally

Director, Emergency Relief and Support, Community Services

Department of Communities WA

Erin Pelly

National Manager – Recovery Emergency Services

Australian Red Cross

Pippa Bailey

Creative Consultant, Climate Justice & Transition

Dr Jen Rae

Artist, Researcher, Facilitator

Dr Briony Rogers

CEO, Fire to Flourish

Sam Savage

Regional Coordinator, North Queensland Emergency Services

Australian Red Cross

Read more about the National Taskforce for Creative Recovery HERE

Read more about the taskforce members HERE