With Australia experiencing extreme weather events and covid19 related disruptions over the last two years, decision-makers have been in continued response mode. In contrast to previous disaster response regimes involving seasonality of pressure and opportunities for emergency responders to recover, Queensland communities have been facing the complexity of multiple disasters within short timeframes, sometimes in the same jurisdictions and sometimes at the same time. Through such extended periods of disruptions, experts and emergency services personnel have often related their frustrations in not being able to make decisions to enable others with the right information, at the right time - “If only I could be everywhere, see everything – a clear line-of-sight to what is happening, would make such a difference”. Within this context, this presentation will share the journey of a Queensland research team in providing a local facility for collaborative and agile disaster response within an academic system. The research agenda is built upon the Digital Earth context that everything is connected, and 'where' is critical in ensuring appropriate response and long-term resilience. The presentation will introduce and explain Griffith University's Disaster and Resilience Management Facility (DRMF) in the newly constructed building on Nathan Campus (Brisbane), to highlight the potential for large-scale impact through local and remote action, regular capacity building and scenario development. Drawing on theory regarding connectivity, relatedness, innovation and behaviour change, the presentation will create and join dots in a transdisciplinary reflection on how to be in action in the face of disruption.