Remembering the floods

3 March 2023

Council’s Community Recovery team would like to acknowledge the anniversary of the March 2021 and 2022 floods coming around. In recent days there has been much flood imagery on TV and through other media and this can be challenging, especially if you have been impacted yourself, your family, friends, and neighbours.

Australian Red Cross says that often the anticipation of an anniversary is more difficult and painful than the day (or days) itself. Some people may mark the date by doing something special, others will choose to spend time with family and friends. For others it may be important to spend some time alone. It is also completely acceptable not to want to do anything!

See Dr Rob Gordon’s short YouTube video http://ow.ly/LUEI50N5olq

UseAustralian Red Cross http://ow.ly/iN5Z50N5ols

Council’s Recovery team understands how people can be affected by disasters in many, varied ways over  different periods of time and we want you to know that support is still available www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/info

You are also welcome to call in at any of the Community Hubs each week for support or even just a cuppa and a chat. They are in Bowen Mountain, Bilpin, Wilberforce, and Colo Heights. You can find more information at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/hc

Many free mental health and wellbeing supports are available at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/mentalhealth

There is also a free podcast called After the Disaster www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/after-the-disaster

that has been developed by the ABC, Australian Red Cross, and the University of Melbourne with funding support from Bushfire Recovery Victoria and the Bushfire Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre. It is also available free on ABC Listen app.

The podcast is for people who have been affected by disasters. In the podcast, host Kate Brady and guests provide easy to understand, reliable information from people with lived experience, and people who have professional experience.

Disasters take time to work through – and it's ok to ask for support. There are often counsellors and psychologists connected to any recovery centre, and you can turn to them. You can also go to your GP who will give you a referral to a professional. Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.au has a lot of information and live chat facilities. Or you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Neighbour Day is on Sunday, 26 March. Celebrate the support and friendship of your neighbours. More details at https://neighbourseveryday.org and https://neighbourseveryday.org/day-of.../tell-us-your-story