^{Date Published: 21 Oct 2009 4:13pm}

AFAC would like to congratulate Ms Julie Harris, Community Ageing Strategist, at the Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board (MFB) as the recipient of the 2009 AFAC Laurie Lavelle Award.

The award was made in recognition of Julie’s pivotal role in the design and development of programs and projects that address the fire safety needs of our ageing community, and, people with a disability, in a strategic and sustainable manner.

As an AFAC representative, she was instrumental in developing three strategies that were designed and developed in consultation with numerous external agencies on a national level.

Julie has also been instrumental in the development of the fire safety elements which have been embedded into the training packages.

While the qualifications related to aged and disability were the original target of this project, an opportunity was identified to include a broader number of qualifications across a range of disciplines, including children and youth services, mental health, social housing, alcohol and other drugs work, community work and community development. This outcome ensures fire safety information reaches vulnerable people living in the community,via the community sector workers, who provide services and support to them.

Julie has worked tirelessly to promote the fire safety message through her representation for AFAC, and in her role as Community Ageing Strategist at the MFB.

The Laurie Lavelle Award was presented to Julie at the 2009 AFAC Bushfire CRC Conference held at the Gold Coast.

About the Award  

The annual Laurie Lavelle award is designed to recognise the efforts of an individual who has undertaken a role within an AFAC member agency that has contributed significantly to enhancing the knowledge or skills, operations, performance or public profile of the fire and emergency services in Australasia.

As agreed by Council, nominations are restricted to one per agency with the primary prize being a $1,500 sponsorship to attend the AFAC Conference where the nominee will receive the award. Additionally, the recipient will receive $1,000 cash in recognition of their effort, over and above their normal role. The award is open to all agency personnel.

Nominations for 2010 will open mid-next year with notification and information posted on the AFAC website.