Lake Tyers Health and Children’s Services (LTHCS) is focusing on giving their community skills, knowledge, and greater autonomy over their recovery planning.
During the bushfires, Lake Tyers community members were evacuated. The fires quickly encroached on the community and many people faced challenges to evacuate due to the high rate of immobility, lack of communications, restricted vehicle access, isolation, and illness. Some families were separated and were unable to find suitable accommodation in neighbouring towns.
Mikila Sharkie, Operations Manager at LTHCS says the community is now gaining back a sense of control.
“They are able to feel empowered with a plan and others will know their plan, so they feel supported.
“The fire was the closest it’s ever been in living memory for a lot of the people out here. The sky was almost black and there was an orange glow over the water.”
The first community get-together was a lunch held by the Health Centre and community at the end of January 2021. Mikila explains that one of the biggest learnings from this session was a need for clearer, planned and more effective communication.
The LTHCS are using some of the funding to purchase a digital community notice board that will display current information during an emergency. Mikila says:
“This sign will be invaluable during an emergency. It will be linked to the website so we can update it from anywhere to keep it current.”
The project has also assisted individual households to develop emergency plans. A survey will be conducted in the coming months to customise these plans to define responsibilities during an emergency.
Community packages are being put together and will be stored at the LTHCS buildings ready for future events. Community buildings are being improved and repaired for future events. The funding has enabled the purchase of a water tank and fire pump to protect community members who will use the Health Centre as a refuge in an emergency.
“I think this has been well received by the community. They are happy their wishes are being listened to and the issues they are raising are being heard. That is important for us, as we are driven by the community."
Updated