Kalorama Leads the Way

Kalorama locals stepped into the heat, smoke and chaos — and came out more prepared. The first full Immersive Bushfire Experience (IBE) workshop rolled out in Kalorama last week, marking a major milestone for this world-first program combining virtual reality, community conversation and emotional preparedness.

Participants described it as “an excellent presentation to really start my preparedness thinking” and “something that should be made available to all communities.”

Hosted by the Kalorama CFA and the Immersive Bushfire Experience Foundation, the session brought neighbours together to explore what really happens in the heat of the moment — how panic impacts decision-making, and what it feels like to face a fire up close.

The energy in the room was warm, welcoming and deeply engaged. Locals shared insights, swapped strategies and left determined to talk with their families about when they’d leave and why.

Kalorama has set the benchmark — the IBE is now ready to roll out across more Victorian communities in the months ahead.

Big thanks to Virginia, Bill and Alex for hosting us. We look forward to meeting more Kalorama locals this Thursday 16 October (7pm) and meeting Belgrave Mums of the Hills and their families this Saturday 18 October.