St-wise Pty Ltd, PO Box 2336, Caulfield Junction 3161
Town Planning, Community Connectedness and Strip Shopping Centre Projects
Phone/Fax: (03) 9500 0865
Email: info@st-wise.com.au
Community Bushfire Recovery
Recovering from a tragedy, like the devastating Victorian bushfires in February 2009, is a slow and emotionally draining process. Recovery does not simply happen by replacing bricks and mortar. For most, regaining emotional strength can enable survivors to cope with the stresses associated with rebuilding.
The Yarra Ranges Community Bushfire Recovery Program, was established to provide an opportunity for survivors to come together to support each while providing welcome relief from the day to day pressures. Council contracted Mandy Black to organise and implement projects, events and activities within this program.
The types of events, programs and activities initiated were in direct response to a community need or want and can be categorised under the following headings:
These sessions were organised as the need was identified or as requested by the community. Twenty - five sessions were organised during the 12 month period after the fires. The themes were Rebuilding and Regeneration, Personal Wellbeing and Business Recovery.
Two workshops were coordinated including a local service provider's showcase and a working summit. Both workshops achieved their objective to bring workers in direct contact with bushfire affected people to share information and identify gaps in services.
Events were held in a variety of locations that were aimed at bringing community members together to share experiences and support each other.
The aim of developing long term projects was to give participants an opportunity to develop relationships based on trust and inclusion.
To access a listing of events, programs and activities initiated through Mandy's role in community bushfire recovery please click on the link Events, Programs and Activities.
"Fifty bushfire affected women attended the 'Wellbeing Evening'. This was the first event targeted at females only, once again it was organised in response to a community need and once again had a very short lead in time. Everyone in attendance was given a pamper pack full of goodies, quality feminine stuff - after all each and everyone of those women deserved a little spoiling.
The goodies were donated by nameless kind hearted business people and packed by an anonymous group of women. Cross stitching packs and pin cushions were also donated by a church group in Melbourne for distribution which were also well received. No-one asked for recognition - they gave products and their time because they truly cared and wanted to assist in some way.
The evening bought a welcome change of scenery and provided an opportunity for bushfire affected women to share their experiences, make social connections and confirm that they were not alone.
For me, I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to work in this area. Smiles on faces (if only for a short span of time) that were so troubled just hours earlier is what community recovery is all about."
The Devastation
The First Regrowth
Contact Us
St-wise Pty Ltd
PO Box 2336
Caulfield Junction 3161
Phone/Fax: (03) 9500 0865
Email: info@st-wise.com.au
