Held at Lardner Park, Farm World is a cornerstone event for regional Victoria – bringing together farming communities, families and outdoor enthusiasts for a multi-day showcase of agriculture, innovation and rural life.
Among the machinery displays, livestock exhibits and lifestyle experiences, AAMI and VICSES created a space focused on something equally critical: helping communities understand how to prepare for and stay safe during extreme weather events.
The activation is part of a long-standing partnership between AAMI and VICSES, which began in 2003.
Over more than two decades, that commitment has come to life through a range of initiatives focused on building community preparedness and resilience.
This includes the ‘Be Storm Smart’ interactive tool which helps communities better prepare for severe weather; the ‘15 to Float’ campaign, designed to educate drivers about the dangers of entering floodwaters through a range of digital, social and community engagement materials; and ongoing support for Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day), recognising the extraordinary contribution of VICSES volunteers across the state.
Volunteers from both organisations spoke with attendees about the real risks posed by storms, floods and other natural hazards, while offering simple, practical steps people can take to protect their homes, properties and families.
Visitors to the stall were able to pick up easy-to-follow information guides outlining what to do before, during, and after severe weather events.
The conversations also created an opportunity for people to ask questions, share their own experiences and learn from those who have responded on the front line.
For VICSES volunteer and Warragul Unit Controller Daniel Brown, those one-on-one interactions are what make events like Farm World so valuable.
“It’s always rewarding to connect directly with people and talk about the things they can do to prepare for storms, floods and other emergencies," Daniel said.
"It's also been great to share what it's like volunteering and encourage others to join us.
“You build confidence, learn practical skills and often find yourself growing into leadership roles you might never have expected.”
Encouraging more people to consider volunteering was a key part of the engagement, with many visitors expressing interest in how they could get involved locally.
For VICSES, building that volunteer base is essential to ensuring communities remain supported during increasingly frequent and severe weather events.
Suncorp Executive Manager Disaster Management Lilly Broodbank said events like Farm World play an important role in building resilience long before a disaster strikes.
“Being able to meet people where they are, in their own communities, creates a powerful opportunity to make that message stick," Ms Broodbank said.
“Our partnership with VICSES has always been grounded in a shared goal: helping communities not only recover from disasters but better prepare for them.
“That’s something we’re committed to continuing for the long term.”
For AAMI volunteer Rachel, the event also highlighted the importance of engaging younger generations in conversations about safety and preparedness.
“It was fantastic to see so many families coming through and taking an interest in how they can protect their homes and properties,” she said.
“There’s a real curiosity there, especially among kids, which creates a great opportunity to start building those habits early."
