Eden Marine High students coding online game to help with bushfire preparedness

Ten students from Eden Marine High School, between years 7 to 10, are involved in the Disaster Preparedness through Gaming Project, as a part of the Eden Community Access Centre's Disaster Risk Reduction Youth-led Project.

The first-of-its-kind project in the Bega Valley aims to help young people aged 12-24 manage the threats of disasters and improve their knowledge of how to cope. It hopes to empower young people to play an active role in reducing risk and impacts of potential disasters.

Project coordinator John Rix-Aldridge said the approach of coding a game was revolutionary and would become a helpful resource in the community.

"Students will be part of something truly ground-breaking for the area, gaining a sense of achievement about contributing to vital disaster preparedness resources for young people," he said.

"The program will culminate in an event where our developers will showcase their game to the community.

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"We hope the game will become a valuable education resource.

"This is a real opportunity for young people to engage with valuable disaster preparedness information while building skills in IT, coding and game design."

The program is hosted by local gaming developer William Sharples from Eden Game Development Centre and will provide students support through community mentors, and the RFS to bring their game to fruition.

Students in the program are supported by mentors Jacqui Wishart from Campbell Page, Bree Morgan from the Bega Valley Shire Council, and Carol Ahern, ECAC Youth Support Officer for the Disaster Risk Reduction Youth-led Project.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Youth-led Project is also partnering with the University of Wollongong, Bega Valley Campus, the Bega Valley Innovation Hub and the Rural Fire Service.

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Volunteer RFS group officer for the Far South Coast Peter Standen will be providing invaluable expertise and insights into bushfire response and preparedness.

Mr Standen was awarded a life membership with Eden Rural Fire Brigade in 2022 for his hard work and dedication to the service.

"The program is a great idea and particularly valuable as a tool for others to learn from," Mr Standen said.

The project is funded through the New South Wales Office of Regional Youth and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants Program.

The 21-week program will wrap up in August with a community game launch event.