Reflect, remember, celebrate: Moira Shire Council panel of administrators chair John Tanner said a recent event was a time of celebration and strength.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
The Moira Shire community got together at the Nathalia Recreational Reserve on Wednesday, November 8 to reflect, heal and connect, one year after the devastating October 2022 floods.
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Though floodwaters have dissipated, the physical and emotional damage are still raw.
Consequently, Moira Shire Council’s Flood Recovery Team remains active in supporting community members dealing with the floods’ aftermath.
The event saw residents and visitors enjoy family-friendly activities, including face painting and jumping castles, a barbecue dinner provided by the Nathalia Lions Club and an art exhibit.
The event featured guest speaker Rob Gordon, a renowned disaster trauma specialist, who delivered a talk on resilience and healing in the face of adversity.
Addressing the crowd: Dr Rob Gordon, who specialises in the field of disaster recovery, says recovery isn’t a sprint.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
Dr Gordon emphasised the importance of not rushing when recovering from disaster and always making time for yourself so you don’t burn out.
“If people are rushing, they don’t make good decisions,” he said.
Dr Gordon said when talking to farmers affected by catastrophes such as the 2022 floods, they had admitted they exhausted themselves in the immediate recovery and much of their work had to be done again.
Dr Gordon pointed out that farmers were not unique in that respect.
“I’ve certainly had lots of people who’ve said the decisions they made in the hurly-burly straight after (disasters had struck) were not good,” he said.
Dr Gordon was also keen to emphasise the importance of taking time out and still finding time to enjoy the activities those impacted loved.
“You don’t have to disrupt what you’re doing. Because it’s about quality, not quantity,” Dr Gordon said.
“So make sure you have times in your day or in your week in which you just let go of everything you have to do, and you just have leisure, just do what you feel like doing.”
Dr Gordon said those who took time out to enjoy themselves tended to be more efficient, and that when dealing with disaster recovery, people must think about the long term.
“The important thing is not how I’m going now, but how will I be in three months and six months, and people create severe crises for themselves if they don’t break that up (with leisure time),” Dr Gordon said.
In conjunction with Alpine Shire Council and Victorian emergency service agencies, Moira Shire Council developed The First 72 Hours program.
The program is intended to assist community members, businesses and groups to prepare themselves for an emergency that may leave them with no access to community or agency support for up to 72 hours.
Moira Shire Council administrator Graeme Emonson said the program was ideal for people who wanted to know how to prepare.
“Preparedness is key, and to anyone who doesn’t know where to start, the First 72-hour program has excellent tips and resources to prepare you for an emergency event,” Dr Emonson said.
To help with this preparation, attendees were able to take home their own 72-hour bag as part of the event.
Moira Shire Council panel of administrators chair John Tanner said he was pleased with how the event went.
“It was impressive to see the Moira Shire community come together for a time of celebration and strength,” Mr Tanner said.
“We know moments of disasters can bring out unsung heroes, and this was the opportunity for our community to recognise the efforts and support of those around them.”
Moira Shire Council administrator Suzanna Sheed echoed his sentiments and said the event was about helping each other heal.
“It was a time of mixed emotions and memories for residents as they remembered the flood events,” she said.
“These moments prove we are resilient, and this was a moment to share stories, help each other on the path of healing and celebrate the individuals, groups and organisations who have been with us on this journey.”
