The Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action has won a major prize at this year’s Resilient Australia National Awards.  

The awards, hosted by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, recognise initiatives by communities, individuals, governments and other organisations.  

The overall national award – won by the Victorian government department – salutes a project that “demonstrates the most systemic change and groundbreaking results”.

The department has established a cultural heritage unit in its incident management team to ensure Indigenous cultural values are embedded into fire planning and recovery efforts. This unit was created following fires in the state’s west earlier this year that affected the Wotjobaluk, Eastern Maar and Gunditjmara communities.

NSW’s Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Department was recognised for a partnership with the Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council.  

And a joint initiative between Maribyrnong City Council, GenWest and the Maribyrnong Community Recovery Committee to help residents access flood insurance won two honours.  

Institute for Disaster Resilience executive director John Richardson said: “We are inspired by the commitment and consideration of this year's entries across all categories ... and the show of support for and within communities, often amid times of uncertainty and change.

“Collectively, the Resilient Australia Award finalists are making a significant impact before, during and after disaster events, and demonstrate the benefits of resilience-building across many sectors and communities in Australia.”

The award winners

• National award – Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
• Government award – Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and NSW’s Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Department
• Business award – The Six C
• Community award – Resilient Kurilpa
• Local government award – Maribyrnong City Council, GenWest and Maribyrnong Community Recovery Committee
• Collaboration and partnership award – Maribyrnong City Council, GenWest and Maribyrnong Community Recovery Committee
• Research for impact award – University of Sydney and Western Sydney University
• Mental health and wellbeing award – Social Future
• School award – Richmond Agricultural Centre: Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education
• Photography award – Joshua Cottier, Damien Skurrie and Tyson Neal for “Protecting Country Together”