sad loss

29.5.2012

My energy is returning and this week I have been able to focus on community issues. From the bush fire funds published report Erin has discovered that the Yarra Valley got very little of the donated money, or at least compared to other communities we had significantly less resulting community support. She lobbied for a last ditch effort to try and get funding to help people in the valley recover.

This has resulted in several emotionally charged meetings but although we cannot correct the balance we can start now to access funding support in a minor way. We formed a task group and interviewed about 50 % of the community about needs. From the results of this survey areas of need were identified and discussed so in a relatively short time we have results. This morning we got a promise of support from the DHS guy overseeing the last of the donated bush fire funds.

The true picture is that the community has not recovered physically or mentally despite three years passing. We still have people living in inadequate temporary accommodation, and tears and tempers arise over minor incidents. Many have no idea how they can escape the devastation in their lives and land. We have relied on self-help within the community but everyone is worn out with the magnitude of what is needed so any external help is really welcome.

Edd and I have also restarted the schools program and yesterday we had another class of year nines from Healesville High School here. The weather was awful, and as usual the young people arrived without the right footwear or clothes. At least we could all go to the house and have a meeting in the warm.

Over lunch one young man borrowed Edd’s guitar and strummed away. Then he started singing quietly to himself but the quality of sound stopped us in our track and he was persuaded to sing for the group. Wow! Could he sing. He could play the guitar pretty well too. This was an unexpected treat for everyone. The acoustics in the big room helped too.

On a much sadder line we have lost a family member this week. Trish, passed away yesterday after a long struggle with renal failure. She was an amazing woman who remained cheerful and as active as possible and always managed to dress beautifully. Al’s kids are really up set as she was very much a Grand mother to them.