Moorabool Recovery—Scotsburn Fire · things they can do when feeling angry or stressed. Examples...

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1 Newsletter 46 18 January 2017 IN THIS EDITION: Family Day Trip details—RSVP now Scotsburn Community BBQ—3 Feb Recovery Centre Closing VicEmergency App Update MOU with Bendigo Bank Anniversary grief—tips for parents and carers Anniversary Picnic Wrap Up Moorabool Recovery—Scotsburn Fire Date Event Time Location 3 February Scotsburn Community BBQ 6pm Scotsburn Hall 11 February Family Day Trip 9am to 7.15pm Adventure Park Geelong VICEMERGENCY APP UPDATE The VicEmergency App has been downloaded more than 500,000 times since its launch in November. In response to user feedback, changes have been made to the app in an update that’s now available in app stores. New app enhancements include: State alerts will now be visible on the home screen to make Fire Danger Ratings, Total Fire Bans & other statewide warnings more easily accessible to all users. You can now create watch zones without having a VicEmergency profile A new 'land' map filter (Vicmaps) has been introduced A shortcut to the Fire Danger Ratings has been added to the menu Existing users are encouraged to update the app to version 5.01 or new users can download the new VicEmergency update today from the App Store or Google Happy New Year! FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTIONS Fire Prevention Inspections have commenced across the Shire. To report areas of concern in Moorabool Shire, please contact Moorabool Shire Customer Service on 5366 1200. For areas of concern in Ballarat Shire, please call Ballarat Shire Council Customer Service on 5320 5500. RECOVERY CENTRE The Recovery Centre will close at its current location on Friday 20 February. Michelle is taking a well earned break and will be contactable again after 6 February. We will shortly provide further information on future arrangements for recovery.

Transcript of Moorabool Recovery—Scotsburn Fire · things they can do when feeling angry or stressed. Examples...

Page 1: Moorabool Recovery—Scotsburn Fire · things they can do when feeling angry or stressed. Examples are: go for a run, jump on the trampoline, ride a bike, play with the dog. Get them

1

Newsletter 46

18 January 2017

IN THIS EDITION:

Family Day Trip details—RSVP now

Scotsburn Community BBQ—3 Feb

Recovery Centre Closing

VicEmergency App Update

MOU with Bendigo Bank

Anniversary grief—tips for parents and

carers

Anniversary Picnic Wrap Up

Moorabool Recovery—Scotsburn Fire

Date Event Time Location

3 February Scotsburn Community BBQ 6pm Scotsburn Hall

11 February Family Day Trip 9am to 7.15pm Adventure Park Geelong

VICEMERGENCY APP

UPDATE

The VicEmergency App has been

downloaded more than 500,000 times

since its launch in November.

In response to user feedback, changes

have been made to the app in an update

that’s now available in app stores.

New app enhancements include:

State alerts will now be visible on

the home screen to make Fire

Danger Ratings, Total Fire Bans &

other statewide warnings more

easily accessible to all users.

You can now create watch zones

without having a VicEmergency

profile

A new 'land' map filter (Vicmaps)

has been introduced

A shortcut to the Fire Danger

Ratings has been added to the

menu

Existing users are encouraged to update

the app to version 5.01 or new users can

download the new VicEmergency update

today from the App Store or Google

Happy New Year!

FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTIONS

Fire Prevention Inspections have commenced across the Shire.

To report areas of concern in Moorabool Shire, please contact Moorabool Shire Customer

Service on 5366 1200.

For areas of concern in Ballarat Shire, please call Ballarat Shire Council Customer Service on

5320 5500.

RECOVERY CENTRE

The Recovery Centre will close at its

current location on Friday 20 February.

Michelle is taking a well earned break and

will be contactable again after 6 February.

We will shortly provide further information on

future arrangements for recovery.

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TIPS FOR PARENTS AND CARERS ON ANNIVERSARY GRIEF

Anniversary grief is defined as strong feelings which return on the anniversary of a significant, personal trauma. These feelings can take the grieving person back to the memories of the loss or event itself, and the intense emotions experienced around that time. In some cases the anticipation of an anniversary may be more difficult than the day itself.

This article explains what anniversary grief is, why it happens, what you might expect to see in young people if they are experiencing anniversary grief and what you can do to assist them.

What is an anniversary of loss?

Any personally meaningful or traumatic event has the potential to be associated with an anniversary reaction. The first anniversary may be emotional, and for some people can be as intense as the initial loss experience. Anniversary loss may occur however not only on the annual anniversary of the event - but on any day that has some sort of association with the loss or trauma. It is important to note these dates and plan ahead.

What is the impact of anniversaries of

loss?

Anniversaries are experienced by each child differently. In the first year a child may be continuing to deal with the loss, grief or trauma and it may pass in a blur. It might be that in the second year strong grief unexpectedly returns. Over time their mourning moves into a redefinition of themselves, also known as "reconstitution", wherein they are integrating the loss or traumatic event into their ongoing lives.

What can you expect?

It is hard to predict how your child or young person will feel on an anniversary of loss, as everyone's experience is unique. Adapting to life after a significant loss can be an enormous struggle because there are many factors that come into play such as the young person's age, circumstances of the

loss, the child's developmental level, gender, personality, previous life experience and, support systems in their life. They may:

Re-experience the deep feelings associated with the event or loss

Feel like avoiding people and places that are linked to the event

Feel anxiety and increased sadness

Sometimes have unpleasant flashbacks.

Why do people experience anniversary

grief?

There is no agreed time limit to grief following a loss or trauma as grief and mourning do not happen in an ordered way. Depending on the young person's age at the time of the traumatic event, it will be more like a series of transitions including going back over things as their understanding of the past event unfolds. This may take months or even years. Remembering the loss is an important activity to aid in this growing understanding.

Things you can do

Ensure that the school is aware of the anniversary so that they can support your child or young person in the classroom

Remember that the child or young person is unique and they will have their own particular response to the anniversary. If you are concerned about how they may react to the anniversary then you may wish to seek information and guidance from a counsellor or another professional. A list of Parentline services across Australia is provided.

Minimise changes and disruptions in your child's day to day life

Keep a positive relationship with your child encouraging communication, showing warmth and demonstrating an active problem solving approach

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Things you can do (cont.)

Encourage your child to talk, or draw, about anything that is bothering them

Help your child/young person to accept that it's alright to develop new interests and relationships, to enjoy life and move on when they feel ready while still being able to reminisce about the past if they wish

Seeking social and physical support for yourself to maintain your own mental and emotional health will ensure that you are available to respond to your child's grief. If your capacity to be "there" for your child is limited (perhaps due to your own anniversary grief, work commitments or other caring responsibilities) engage the assistance of other adults such as teachers, family members and/or counsellors. Be assured that even though you may be having difficulties coping with your own anniversary grief which may lessen your capacity to support your child, this does not mean that you love your child less.

Practical tips or ideas

Together mark on a calendar other important anniversaries to remember during the year ahead (birthdays, graduation days, special religious days)

Teach them how to help themselves whenever they are really sad, stressed, and angry or upset by imagining that they are in a beautiful and peaceful place. They can do this by sitting quietly alone, shutting their eyes and drifting away. Later they could draw a picture of their peaceful place

Help them to devise a list of "Look after Yourself Stress Busters" which are things they can do when feeling angry or stressed. Examples are: go for a run, jump on the trampoline, ride a bike, play with the dog. Get them to prioritize their list starting with their favorite and/

what they perceive to be most effective as number one. Pin the list up somewhere so they can see it

Point out all the ways your child has been helpful and supportive to others over the past year and acknowledge them for their kindness and efforts

Encourage them to record their feelings in a journal. When they are feeling sad, angry or very upset but can't deal with it right away they can write it down so they can think about it, then discuss it and/or deal with it afterwards

Create a memory box with them which will assist them to retain their memories. The box can be a powerful link between the future, present and the past

Encourage them to "look and listen" to others around them who may be feeling sad and upset as well. Ask them to draw or write them a supportive message

Memory stones can be used to symbolize a traumatic event - rocky stones can represent those memories that are still hurtful and have sharp edges, smooth stones can represent neutral memories and polished, gem-like stones can be those memories which are special and positive.

More information?

https://www.parentline.com.au/parenting-information/tip-sheets/anniversaries-of-loss.php

https://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/MR-Black-Saturday-anniversary-5Feb2010.pdf

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ANNIVERSARY PICNIC WRAP UP

The Anniversary Picnic on 18 December was a great success with more than 150 people in attendance.

Live music, great food and the rides, made it a lovely day out for everyone.

Thank you to everyone who attended the picnic.

Enjoy some of the pictures we took on the day.

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Moorabool Shire Council

Recovery Phone Number —0400 324 551 Recovery Centre Address—Village Place, 309 Learmonth Street, Buninyong. Principal Office: 15 Stead Street, Ballan Telephone (03) 5366 7100 Postal Address: PO Box 18, Ballan VIC 3342 Email: [email protected]

@mooraboolshire Moorabool Shire Council

Darley Civic & Community Hub:

182 Halletts Way, Darley

Lerderderg Library:

215 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh

Website: www.moorabool.vic.gov.au

This agreement will help simplify the

process for Victorians wanting to donate

directly to a community after an emergency.

It also encourages the community to play

an integral role in determining their own

recovery needs, by being part of the fund

distribution process along with councils and

the emergency sector.

Image above: Craig Lapsley & Mark Cuneen

Image below: C Lapsley, M Cuneen,

Cr Sullivan, P Day and C Graham

SCOTSBURN BENDIGO BANK PARTNERSHIP USED FOR

STATEMWIDE MOU

A new partnership between Emergency

Management Victoria (EMV) and the

Bendigo Bank will help directly support

communities impacted by emergencies and

provide generous Victorians with an

avenue to help.

The model is based on the successful

partnership used to manage funds for the

Scotsburn community. Our Community

Recovery Committee provided input into the

guidelines and model.

On 20 December 2016, the MOU was

signed at Clarendon recreation Reserve.

The MOU signing was attended by:

Craig Lapsley, Emergency

Management Commissioner,

Mark Cunneen, Head of Community

Banking & Engagement,

Rob Croxford, CEO, Moorabool Shire

Council

Cr Tom Sullivan, Moorabool Shire

Councillor

Stephen Falconer, Chairman,

Buninyong & District Financial

Services

Wayne Weire, CEO Ballan Hospital

The new agreement enables Bendigo Bank

and Councils to establish locally managed

Community Relief Funds in partnership with

EMV and an affected community after an

emergency, such as a fire or flood.