Helping resilience flourish in fire affected communities

In the aftermath of the bushfires we’re going to hear a lot about the importance of resilience. As a personal characteristic it is often pointed to as the key indicator of whether an individual will be successful in the life they pursue.

The thing about resilience is that we discuss it as something that is found internally. It is most often framed as an internal characteristic that doesn’t rely on external support to be and grow.

Having just spent the last three days passing through the Sapphire Coast and East Gippsland, the signs of internally driven resilience in those communities are there for all to see. The main street of Cobargo, was open for business. If the shop was still standing, it was open and ready to take my custom.

On Monday night in Mallacoota about 400 people (permanent population of about 1,000) filled the golf club to discuss the way in which they were going to rebound as a strong and united community. The pub was bursting at the seams afterwards with crowds and conversations. In those two towns, and every one in-between, the people in the pubs, service stations, supermarkets and cafes served me as a visitor with a friendliness they could have been forgiven for not having.

In that beautiful corner of our country, nature too is showing its resilience.

Fresh gum leaves sprout from black tree trunks. Ferns spring forth from the ash.

Bellbirds bell among the brown black leaves that used to be green grey, and the kangaroos are finding the sprouts they need to regenerate themselves.

As heartening as these signs of resilience were, there was a distinct sense that they wanted a hand in helping that resilience flourish. A hand that is external to the community. A hand that would help drive them back towards the sense of normalcy they want to regain above all else.

History tells us that the best results come from a recovery when it is driven by the local community. So how is it that we, as outsiders, contribute to that recovery? Listening is a good start.

“Thank you for being here.”

“Please tell everyone outside that we’re not destroyed.”

“Tell your friends to come and visit us.”

“See you again soon.”

They’re all telling words that were said on more than one occasion.

So to add another drop to the deluge of marketing, hear ye hear ye, from Berry to Bairnsdale, they are open for business and want to see your face. Even in Cobargo and Mallacoota.

They’re far from destroyed, but to come back from what they’ve experienced will take time. If you can, in the weeks, months and years that lie ahead, go and give them a hand at being resilient.

Here’s a few excuses to hit the road in the weeks ahead. I’ll be going to a few of these, so drop me a line if you're coming too.

 ·     February 14: Pambula Street Party – Pambula, NSW Sapphire Coast

·      February 15: Pambula Cup Race Day – Pambula, NSW Sapphire Coast

·      February 15: Buchan Canni Creek Picnic Races – Buchan, Victoria East Gippsland

·      February 21-23: Paynesville Music Festival – Paynesville, Victoria East Gippsland

·      March 7-14: Eden Amateur Fishing Competition – Eden, NSW Sapphire Coast

·      March 8: Eat Merimbula Festival – Merimbula, NSW Sapphire Coast

·      March 21-22: Salt Creek Campdraft – Salt Creek, Victoria East Gippsland

·      April 2-5: Man from Snowy River Festival – Corryong, Victoria High Country

·      April 11: Omeo Easter Rodeo – Omeo, Victoria East Gippsland