moorabool recovery—scotsburn fire · things they can do when feeling angry or stressed. examples...
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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.