In a push to empower the next generation, Windsor Park Public School students are learning life-saving disaster preparedness skills through a hands-on program with the Australian Red Cross and Australia Post. Through the Pillowcase Project workshop, kids are discovering what it takes to be ready for extreme weather events, especially relevant as summer approaches.

This isn’t your typical classroom lesson. Students learn exactly what to pack in an emergency, how to keep calm under pressure, and what to expect before, during, and after a disaster. By the end of the workshop, each child will go home with a pillowcase – not for sleepovers but for packing critical emergency items that could make all the difference if disaster strikes.

“Working in every community across Australia, our team members are often at the frontline of disaster,” said Nicky Tracey, General Manager of Community and Stakeholder Engagement at Australia Post. “We see firsthand how a disaster can affect a community, and we want to do what we can to provide support.”

Tracey pointed out that with hotter, drier summers forecast, these workshops become crucial in helping communities prepare. “The workshops and resources will give children in high-risk areas the practical skills in the event of extreme weather like bushfires. Pillowcase workshops help more than 6,000 young Australians in high-risk areas every year to prepare for a major disaster before they are in the thick of one.”

The initiative taps into the power of young people to drive change within their own families. Antonia Mackay, Resilience Manager at Australian Red Cross, says children are often surprisingly strong contributors to disaster resilience. “Children are positive change agents within their families and their communities. If given the opportunity to participate, they can make a very real and positive difference before, during, and after an emergency,” she said.

As part of the larger EmergencyRedi campaign, Australia Post is also delivering over 3 million “Prepare” flyers across disaster-prone areas, from Lismore to Bundaberg, packed with tips to help families get ready for an emergency. To support communities impacted by disasters, locals can donate to the Australian Red Cross at Post Offices or on the Australia Post website.

In a changing climate, teaching children these skills could one day make all the difference.