Local support services speak of people still in need, still in emotional distress, still foggy and unable to cope with too much more.
In episode two of this special three-part podcast series, we hear from Anne Leadbeater who was the recovery coordinator for Kinglake following the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria.
She is ten years down the track and still feeling the influence and impact of her communities bad day.
"I am not sure you ever get back to your full capacity. What that tells us is the profound effect disaster has on people," Anne says.
"Communities evolve through this experience, I am not sure that they ever end up just like they were, I think they end up just like they should be."
Anne fears that with the recent 12 month anniversary of the Bega Valley's experience, many people might have expected that to be the end of their pain, stress, and grief.
"It's a long process, we put a lot of emphasis on that first 12 months, what we are not so good at is knowing that the second 12 months is pretty tough as well," she says.
"The challenges continue beyond that anniversary and that's where people will be at now, there is a lot that needs to be resolved."
Anne says the expectations around recovery can compound the issue, "in most cases people have experienced something that they have never experienced before."
"You do come out of the other side of this but I think it is sometimes made more difficult if we impose expectations on people about how they should move through and experience this event."
There is much to digest in this podcast, perhaps too much to do on your own, people and services are still available to help you with that:
Bushfire Recovery Psychological Support Service runs until March 2020, providing free face to face counseling support. Find a free counselor near you HERE.
The Chaplaincy Network is also still at work through the Anglican and Uniting Church of Tathra and Bega. Offering pastoral care to individuals, couples and families; caring for people as they seek to rebuild their lives and homes. There is also a support group that meet at ‘Blend @ Tathra’ on Tuesdays at 10 am, lead by Sherryn Burrop. Contact details: Rev. Capt. Stuart Haynes on phone – 0421 170 071 or 64925 555 or email – angbega@bigpond.net.au
Bega Valley Shire Council Recovery Support Service, led by Anne, June and Caralyn, is available Monday to Friday via Unit 6 at Tathra Beach House Apartments. Contact details: Recovery Hotline - 6499 2475, or email -recovery@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Red Cross Emergency Service team is always available to provide psychological first aid at events. They also carry stock of printed resources which might be useful reading as you, your family and community continues this journey. Contact details: Linda Mayo, Recovery Officer on phone - 0438 901 481 or email - lmayo@redcross.org.au until 30 July and then, Sandra Arnold, Response and Recovery Coordinator on phone - 0466 502 211 or email - sarnold@redcross.org.au
This special podcast series is a collaboration between The Australian Red Cross, South East NSW Primary Health Network and About Regional. In episode three, a focus on assisting children and young people affected by a disaster over the longer term.
Missed episode one? Catch up
HERE.
