After 18 months of training across the Northern Rivers, we’ve now completed this phase of our Community Carers and Responders (CCR) program, delivered with the generous support of Healthy North Coast.

Last week, Sam and Rena joined grassroots resilience groups from across the region for the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance Gathering at Ballina Beach Nature Resort.

We had a very special day at the Jubullum NAIDOC Celebration, celebrating Wahlabul culture, history and people alongside the Jubullum community.

Plan C, in partnership with PCYC QLD Emergency Services Cadets and QLD Kids Partnership (formerly Thriving Kids), received great feedback from their poster presentation at the AIDR conference last month.

It’s been a big few months for Surviving Disasters, with young people across the Northern Rivers building practical skills, sharing their perspectives and helping us shape where the program goes next.

We’re pretty thrilled to share that our Surviving Disasters youth resilience program has been named a finalist in the 2026 Resilient Australia Awards NSW! And Plan C has also been named a finalist in the Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards, in the Outstanding Community Organisation category!

It's  Youth Week and that feels like a good time to pause and recognise the young people we get to work alongside.

Through Surviving Disasters, we see young people step into big conversations about risk, uncertainty and what it actually means to look after ourselves and each other in difficult scenarios…

We know these are really difficult and uncertain times and so it’s normal if you feel overwhelmed and unsure about what to do next. So, we’ve pulled together a simple guide for households and communities in the Northern Rivers to stay prepared — without panic.

Day 3 of the disaster resilience portion of our CCR training with the wonderful team at Shedding Community Workshop in Mullumbimby.

Term 1 Mullumbimby Surviving Disasters Bush Skills video.

Surviving Disasters is officially back at Mullumbimby High for 2026, with Jen and Marlena kicking off the term alongside a new group of Year 11 LifeReady students. After running a full term here last year, it felt pretty special to return.

We’re entering an exciting new chapter at Plan C.

Founder and Board Chair Jean Renouf is welcoming Sam Refshauge into the role of Managing Director, marking an important leadership transition as the organisation continues to grow and evolve.

What an incredible CCR group we had in Murwillumbah!! Find out about our new confirmed dates and locations.

We’re really pleased to be bringing Gender and Disaster training back to the Northern Rivers, with two free training opportunities for people working, volunteering, or supporting communities in disaster contexts.

Four years ago, floods and landslides reshaped the Northern Rivers. Homes were destroyed. Some lives were lost. Many more were disrupted in ways that continue today.

Hearing the young people talk about what they had taken from the Psychological First Aid training, in their own words, was a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

During the SSVP grant period, we were privileged to work alongside community members from Jubullum Aboriginal Community. Our journey began early in the year with conversations with Auntie Angie and Auntie Roxanne, who generously shared stories from the traumatic 2019–2020 bushfire season and the ongoing work they’ve been doing to support community preparedness.

We’re excited to share that the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance has received multi-year funding through the Disaster Ready Fund Round 3. Plan C was closely involved in developing the successful proposal, and we’re thrilled to see this support heading directly to the grassroots. We also loved catching up with other Alliance members at a recent gathering.

This weekend, our Byron Community Carers & Responders (CCR) participants will complete their final step — First Aid training with Pacific Coast First Aid, our fantastic local provider. We’re so proud of this group and the energy they’ve brought to the program.

Our recent workshop series, Starting the conversation: Disaster planning for community members with support needs and carers, was a deeply meaningful experience. Across the region, people shared stories of resilience, honesty and the real challenges that come with deciding whether to stay or leave early in a disaster. The name truly fit — for many participants, this was the beginning of conversations that have long felt difficult to raise.