Interactive board game for climate change resilience successfully launched

An interactive board game designed for Indigo Shire residents to connect and help prepare communities to be more resilient for climate change successfully launched on Saturday at the Beechworth Town Hall. The Adaptation Game (TAG) commissioned by Indigo Regen and developed with Amble Studios in Melbourne aims to help people better understand extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, and fires. Indigo Valley resident Helen McGowan said the initiative showcased a caring community in taking action to address the importance of climate change. “There were many discussions as well as resources to use,” she said. “There was also an opportunity to improve our planning for emergencies such as the 72-hour program run by local government and the CFA (designed to educate the community about their role in emergencies and how they can best prepare). “It was fun, local people joined together, and it was great in the way it was delivered. “People know a lot and shared local information.” Ms McGowan said the board game will be rolled out across other communities. Indigo Regen’s Lesley Milne said the game is an opportunity for community members to think their way through key disaster shocks such as extended heat waves and bushfires. Ms Milne said the task is to think about adequate practical action to be undertaken for survival. “People who have thought about the possibilities tend to be better prepared to face the climate shock and recover more quickly,” she said. “Research has shown that our resilience, capacity to recover and bounce back is improved when we are prepared. “Eighteen community members including from the CFA took part at the Saturday event. “Independent candidate for Benambra, Dr Lachie McKeenan also played the game and Indigo Shire Council’s Dr Isla Fitridge dropped in to talk to participants. “We played with a map on the board showing Beechworth, Stanley, Wooragee, and Yackandandah. “We played two rounds with the first one fast forward to 2028 with a climate shock of a 48C heatwave for five days. “Round two was fast forward to 2032 with a bushfire between Yackandandah and Beechworth.” Five of the board games developed on research-based information are now available to book with a facilitator by community groups, or friends, family and neighbours. Facilitators included Ms Milne with Indigo Regen members Kim Haebich and Jill Croome. Debbie Humphreys from North East Waste Alliance (NEWA) and Sarah Wallis from Halvewaste also attended. The Ned Foundation, Major Projects Management and Indigo Shire Council with a sustainability grant funded the project. Ms Milne said the game had been developed to be localised to Indigo Shire with maps relevant to Beechworth, Wooragee, Yackandandah, Stanley, Rutherglen, Chiltern, Tangambalanga, and Kiewa.

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