Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength

Liz Fama'aea joins me to share the value of being connected with your community. Liz grew up in Stanthorpe and was motivated to move back with her family a few years ago so they could reconnect and benefit from the support of the community. She has a really interesting story to share about the damage her home and property sustained during the September 2019 bushfire and the incredible recovery journey of the landscape and community which was reflected in the recent Hope + Growth Photo Exhibition.

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Liz share:

• her family connection with the Stanthorpe community on the Southern Downs
• one of the things she loves about being a photographer is bearing witness to and recording personal and community events
• the Hope + Growth Photography Exhibition enabled people to share memories and feelings about the 2019 bushfire
• her own experience of the bushfire which damaged her home and property, and the remarkable story of what saved it
• the importance of knowing your fire risk and preparing your property
• the amazing recovery of the bush with explosions of growth and diversity
• her sense of hope for bush recovery as plants flower and provide food for wildlife
• things she’s learnt from the fire including:
  • nurture your links and engage with your community
  • introduce yourself to your neighbours – it can be lifesaving!
  • community can respond faster than governments in times of need
  • encourage a culture of mutual support – when you ask for help, it gives others “permission” to ask for help too
  • “survivor guilt” can be a barrier to people acknowledging the challenges and asking for help
• balancing personal space and community engagement is important
• the value of taking on the role of official photographer for the Hope and Growth Photography Exhibition Openings
• the exhibition was an opportunity to talk with others who had shared the bushfire experience and thank the emergency services workers
• immediate mental health support is vital during crises, but there is enormous value in community events even several years later
• getting to know the bush around you helps you understand it and prepare for fires
• broad-scale community fire management strategies are vital
• more education is needed to protect and support communities in fire-prone areas including the sharing of knowledge by older generations, trained personnel and Indigenous land management workers

RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

VIEW THE HOPE + GROWTH 2019 EXHIBITION ONLINE (PHOTOS AND POETRY)

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)

The information shared in the podcast conversations and associated handouts is intended for general information only and is not necessarily the opinion of the producers, host and funding bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this information was correct at the time of publishing. Please consult with your doctor, health provider and relevant trained personnel for professional advice and support based on your individual needs.