Stories of community recovery

Warning: The content on this page discusses floods, storms, fires and other emergencies.

This may be distressing for some individuals.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the emotional effects of these events, please see our Mental health and wellbeing support page.

Stories from those with lived experience

Listening to and understanding the experiences of communities and individuals before, during and after emergencies provides valuable insights that help us learn, improve and plan for future events.

This section showcases stories of resilient recovery and the importance of working with communities to build collective strength. It includes community members who have faced disasters and those who support the recovery process.

By learning from these experiences, we can strengthen our support and plan for community-led recovery.

Planning for major emergencies

Aireys Inlet exercises bushfire preparedness

Local and regional agencies gather to simulate a bushfire scenario and test relief strategies in the event of a major emergency along the Great Ocean Road.

Recovery after the October 2022 Victorian floods

Echuca Primary School Hands on Learning program children sitting outside on top of building supplies and holding up wooden frames for their outside project

Echuca's youngest building their own recovery

When Emergency Recovery Victoria decommissioned its operational hub, local school kids from Echuca Primary School jumped at the chance to recycle whatever they could cart away as part of their Hands on Learning program.

Recovery after the June 2021 flood and storm

Aerial view of Barwon River and surrounding landscape

Barwon’s root balls – nature’s fish hotels

After the June 2021 Victorian floods and storms, storm damaged root balls found a new purpose – helping rehabilitate fish populations in rivers in Victoria.

Recovery after 2019-20 Eastern Victoria bushfires

Totally Renewable Yackandandah team members standing in front of the community centre for a group photo

Yackandandah powers up for a resilient future

This 2-year initiative is aimed at ensuring Yackandandah's energy preparedness for sustained outages and emergencies. Funded by Emergency Recovery Victoria, Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) has collaborated with emergency service providers and the community to enhance the town's resilience.

Mallacoota residents surfing in the ocean on their boards with waves out in the sun

Mallacoota residents surfing the waves of recovery

Reclink Australia has been helping Mallacoota residents re-engage with their environment following the 2019– 2020 Eastern Victorian bushfires.

LINE Wangaratta, Al Winters, Executive Officer in community workshop setting facing camera with participants sharing art and craft table behind them.

Building pride and resilience in Victoria's north-east

LINE Wangaratta Pride Hub is part of the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) REJUVENATE program. The program, designed to develop local leadership and accelerate rural entrepreneurship, received grant funding from Emergency Recovery Victoria after the 2019–20 Eastern Victoria bushfires.

Updated 14 October 2024