FCVic, in partnership with Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), was pleased to deliver Disaster Recovery Preparation Training for generalist financial counsellors in March. The two-day face-to-face training provided an immersion into the fundamentals of working in a community in the aftermath of a major climate disaster.
We were warmly welcomed to Country by Wurundjeri man Thane Garvey, who shared survival history of his family and his interest in sustainable environmental management. Our dynamic facilitator, Vanessa Hood from FCA, then took participants through the learnings from previous disasters, and Tracey Blythe and Lyn Dundon from FCVic spoke about the support FCVic provides to financial counsellors taking on this complex and emerging area of practice.
We were delighted and grateful to Philippa Heir, Managing Lawyer at Consumer Action Law Centre, with an extensive insurance industry background, and Tom Cobbin Principal Lawyer from Berrill & Watson Lawyers, specialists on insurance law, for sharing their knowledge and building the capacity of participants to advocate in this fascinating space.
We were also very privileged to listen to highly experienced financial counsellors Leonie Cooke and Lylia Martion, from Anglicare Victoria, and Kellie Davis and Bridget Morcom, from EACH, during a lively panel, discussing case issues and personal reflections of working in bushfire and flood impacted communities, and working with impacted small business owners and storm impacted communities. Participants were encouraged to “jump right in” and connect with communities – the safe space that financial counsellors provide amongst the chaos was highlighted as invaluable.
We later heard from Mark McCourt, Senior Insurance Ombudsman at the Australia Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), who presented on AFCA’s processes in insurance disputes, and generously accommodated many questions from financial counsellors, with wit and detail.
A heavy day of technical information was followed by drinks and dinner, where we reflected on the incredible experience we have to draw on from our sector and partners. It was also an opportunity to hear about some of the amazing life and work experiences of financial counsellors prior to joining the field, highlighting the talent and transferable skills financial counsellors bring to their work.
Day two focussed on the community development and counselling skills components of the work. Vicki Staff from FCA presented on the impacts of gender stereotypes in disasters, challenging participants to be mindful of unconscious biases and how this plays out. Then we heard from Tiana Felmingham, a community leader in the Black Summer Fires, sharing a personal and community-led recovery perspective, encouraging financial counsellors to reach out to community recovery committees or community-led structures as an important point of information dissemination and learning. Tiana also spoke about the impacts on children and how they can be forgotten voices in the process.
Psychologist Peter Streker presented on trauma informed practice, providing a practical workshop on how to respond to clients presenting in trauma, and how to manage own emotions and wellbeing.
The day finished off with FCA co-CEO Peter Gartlan speaking about FCA’s involvement with financial counsellors across the nation, the extensive advocacy on systemic issues identified, and how a best practice model for financial counsellors has emerged from all the experiences. There were many learnings and takeaways, and it was heartening to receive positive feedback from participants – one claiming ’it was one of the best training sessions she has done.’
FCVic again wants to thank participants and presenters for their interest and enthusiasm in contributing to a rich and inspiring couple of days.
