Macedon Ranges Shire Council, along with Woodend Neighbourhood House, Lancefield Neighbourhood House and Macedon Ranges Seed Savers are the grateful recipients of a Department of Fairness, Families and Housing (DFFH) Targeted Funding Initiative grant.
This funding is being used to build resilience and community connection for those impacted by the June 2021 storm event.
Programs funded through this grant are focused on connecting storm affected individuals and families with others in the community; providing opportunities to build skills that will assist them in avoiding further stress and trauma; building practical and mental resilience in preparation for future emergency events; and to promote healing.
Council's Director Community, Maria Weiss, said the community is still feeling the effects of the June 2021 storm and the funding will ensure community-led projects that support recovery and build resilience will continue.
"Council is proud to be working closely with these valued community organisations to deliver activities that have been designed to respond to the unique needs of our communities," Maria said.
Activities have kicked off with the successful completion of three rounds of chainsaw skills training for storm-affected residents.
Melissa Baker of Woodend Neighbourhood House said the funding will support activities that build resilience for residents, including learning new skills to help them prepare for future events.
"In the wake of the June 2021 storm we saw residents of Woodend, and across the shire, going above and beyond to help one-another. One of the best ways to build resilience is to build strongly connected communities.
"As well as skills focused workshops, there are a number of exciting community events coming up which I would encourage people to get involved with," Melissa said.
Kylie Swain, of Macedon Ranges Seed Savers, encouraged the community to come and join in with upcoming events.
"We're looking forward to sharing knowledge about how we can support each other in future emergency events and build our community's knowledge about seed sharing and self-sufficiency. Come along, learn something new, and connect with like-minded people," Kylie said.
Upcoming activities are focused around themes of resilience building, mental health support, and environmental recovery and will include:
- Regenerating the Ranges Festival at the Woodend RSL on Sunday 16 October, International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. Guest speaker Craig Castree – Edible Gardens, Red Cross, free BBQ, face painting, children activities, local community stalls, free recovery show bag and local seeds.
- Storm Recovery Fungi Caravan: Macedon Ranges will be creating this wonderful caravan with artist Kathy Holowko. Youth focussed Art workshops will be offered in October and November to highlight the diversity of fungi with a focus on the June 2021 storm and the process of natural replenishment and recovery. The Fungi Caravan is a state-wide initiative to be shared with other storm affected councils across the state in 2023.
- Storm Recovery Psychological Self Care events at Woodend and Lancefield Neighbourhood Houses.
- Development and distribution of the Macedon Ranges neighbour connect conversation card.
- Environment Recovery: the building of canopy rope bridges to assist the movement of native fauna at Hanging Rock.
Upcoming events and programs will be published on the Woodend Neighbourhood House website www.woodendnh.org.au, and Council's calendar of events www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/See-Do/Events
Jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian State Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
