Bushfire Recovery News - Edition 12 - From the National Bushfire Recovery Agency Acting Coordinator
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Bushfire Recovery News – Edition 12
From the National Bushfire Recovery Agency Acting Coordinator
Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter.
Our focus remains on supporting individuals, communities and businesses in their
immediate recovery needs and understanding how we can also partner with them to
achieve a better future. Recovery touches on many of aspects of people’s lives and
every individual will experience recovery differently. This is reinforced to me daily and my
recent visit to Batlow, as well as my virtual visit with the not-for-profit organisation
BackTrack in Armidale, were no exceptions. It is important that as we move forward in
this recovery, that we do it at the pace of individuals and communities.
Insights gained from visits with communities and recent virtual visits with state and federal
members of parliament and local mayors including Dr Helen Haines MP, Federal
Member for Indi; Ms Susan Templeman MP, Federal Member for Macquarie; Dr David
Gillespie, Federal Member for Lyne; Mr Stephen Bromhead, NSW State Member for Myall
Lakes and Cr David West, Mayor for Mid-Coast Council , are essential to keep us
connected with all the communities we serve.
Wellbeing, now and always, is a priority for the NBRA. The NBRA’s Coordinator, Andrew
Colvin, touches on this message in a video produced to commemorate R U OK? Day on
10 September. 2020 has been a tough year for many, and we are connecting and
seeking support in different ways. I encourage you to reach out for assistance when you
need it. We’re all working together to support each other on our recovery.
A great example of this is our story on the Red Cross pillowcase program. It demonstrates
the importance of supporting children and young people to prepare for, cope with and
respond to an emergency.
Also in this edition, you’ll find extra support for businesses and communities through the
Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program. As COVID-19 restrictions begin to
ease, these programs will help further the road to recovery and betterment by
supporting local jobs, economies, and social prosperity. The stories about a new
community hall in Rappville, a financial counselling workshop in Lake Conjola, and
support from DFAT for businesses on their road to recovery are just some of the many
examples I have the privilege of hearing about every day. The social and economic
benefits of these projects are getting people back on their feet and bringing hope to
communities around the nation.
If you would like to contribute and share your stories, please contact us at
communications@bushfirerecovery.gov.au.
Until next time, stay safe and take care.
1
Major General Andrew Hocking
National Bushfire Recovery Agency Acting Coordinator
In this edition
Key facts and figures
News from the frontline
Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program
R U Ok? Day
New community hall in Rappville
Financial management and counselling workshop at Lake Conjola
Washpool Skin Wellness
Red Cross pillowcase program
Bakarindi Bush Food
2
Key facts and figures
Our work to deliver financial relief to communities and businesses is continuing. Below
is an update using the latest data on our website at bushfirerecovery.gov.au.
3
News from the frontline
Members of the BackTrack staff with a newly delivered generator
On 19 August, NBRA’s Deputy Coordinator, Major General Andrew Hocking, visited bushfire-
affected Batlow and met with Federal Member for Eden Monaro, Ms Kristy McBain; State
Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr; Local Mayor for the Snowy Valleys Council,
Councillor James Hayes and our recovery partners Resilience NSW.
The group participated in a local community forum to understand community needs, recovery
progress and to partner with the community as they explore options for a better Batlow.
Collaborating with our government and non-government partners and communities is critical to
recovery progress and success.
Major General Hocking also took time to catch up with BackTrack in Armidale, a not-for-profit
organisation that helps 12 to 19 year olds at risk of falling through the cracks of society get back
on track by helping others. The BackTrack team has been assisting with local recovery efforts
including with fencing projects and land-clearing. The organisation also supports communities
establish their own youth support programs.
Funding helps regions on the road to bushfire recovery
Music festivals, art installations, sporting events and a coastal headland trail are among 65
projects to get a share in funding for communities in fire-affected regions across Australia. The
Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program aims to encourage tourists back into fire-
affected communities.
Many regional businesses were hit hard by the catastrophic summer bushfires and the COVID-19
pandemic. As restrictions begin to ease, these grants will help communities get back on their
feet by supporting local jobs and economies.
Future visitors to the bushfire-ravaged Eurobodalla Shire Council will enjoy stunning new ocean
views from the Coastal Headlands Walk, located at Bateman’s Bay, and a curated foodie
experience along the Eurobodalla Food Trail thanks to grants for two tourism projects worth
$245,000.
4
Further south in the hard-hit Bega Valley, grants worth $245,000 will support five projects
showcasing the diversity of the Sapphire Coast. These projects include whale season-related
events, an arts event, and food-related trails.
In Victoria’s High Country, Tourism North East received $275,000 for a new walking festival. The
month long event, set to commence on 30 November 2021, will feature a curated program of
guided and self-guided walks across five local government areas and three alpine resorts.
In the Blue Mountains, north of Sydney, a series of art installations will bring more life and colour
to Katoomba’s laneways thanks to a $145,000 grant.
Further north at Grafton, Clarence Valley Council received $195,000 for two light-art installations
that will shine a light on its popular annual Jacaranda Festival.
The grants program is funded as part of the National Bushfire Recovery Fund and is being
administered by Austrade.
For further information on the RTBR grants program click here.
R U Ok? Day
Andrew Colvin speaking on the importance of R U OK? Day
On 10 September, we celebrated ‘R U OK? Day’ with a video produced by the NBRA addressing
the importance of checking in with yourself and others. This year’s theme is There’s more to say
after R U OK?
The video features a variety of speakers, including R U OK?’s CEO, Katherine Newton, and the
NBRA’s National Coordinator, Andrew Colvin, as well as on-the-ground community workers. You
can view it on our Facebook page.
5
Community hall in Rappville
Communal gathering spaces are essential to
recovery. They provide a safe venue for
communities to come together, engage,
voice concerns and share stories and
experiences.
Bushfire-affected Rappville in NSW is set to get
a new community hall, following the
destruction of their previous venue during the
Black Summer fires. The project is a
collaboration between the Australian
Government and the Richmond Valley
Council.
To read more about the design of the hall, as
well as about future projects in Rappville, click
here.
Image: Rappville town hall plan
Financial management and counselling workshop at Lake Conjola
The presentation was held at the Lake Conjola Community Centre
In late August, Milton's Tailor-Made Financial Services and Anglicare Sydney hosted a financial
management and counselling workshop for the bushfire-affected Lake Conjola community in
NSW. The workshop highlighted the work that both organisations have been doing in assisting
bushfire-affected people in their recovery, and provided information to allow them to make
informed decisions about their future.
To read more about it, view the post on our Facebook page here.
6
Washpool Skin Wellness recovering from drought, bushfires and
COVID-19
Washpool Skin Wellness is a family owned business in
Ballandean, Queensland, that specialises in producing
handmade soaps, bath and body products, and is
another beneficiary of the ‘Australia Now’ campaign.
Situated on the Queensland/NSW border, Ballandean is
a popular short break tourist destination but after
experiencing bushfires in 2019, the area saw a sharp
decline in tourist numbers and business.
With more Queenslanders beginning to travel
domestically, Washpool Skin Wellness re-opened its
store in June 2020. Michelle Conkas, Marketing and
Social Media Manager, said there were a number of factors that have contributed to the
business’s recovery.
“Fortunately, we have many loyal customers who continued to purchase our products online
even though the shop was closed,” Michelle said.
“Having an online presence has been very important to the business and pulled it through the
tough times. During COVID-19, the business also diversified into making hand sanitisers and this
product has been popular with customers.”
Further boosting the business’ recovery, DFAT ordered 300 of its soaps and lip balms for the
Australia Now campaign. The National Bushfire Recovery Agency has assisted DFAT with
reaching out to businesses in bushfire-affected areas through local councils.
Michelle’s advice for other businesses impacted by drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, is to
consider diversifying and having their own online presence.
Image: Melissa Thomas owner of Washpool Skin Wellness
Red Cross’ Pillowcase Program
Many vulnerable groups have been affected by the recent bushfires,
with children being no exception. The Australian Red Cross Pillowcase
Program is a preparedness education program that helps children to
remain resilient in the face of disaster.
The program was inspired by students during Hurricane Katrina in the
US, after they used pillowcases to carry their belongings and has been
refined for the Australian context. Workshops that aim to highlight the
importance of being prepared, through group discussions and
practical activities, such as learning how to pack emergency kits
address the fears children may have associated with natural disasters.
The program successfully improves children’s stress management and coping skills, find out more
about the program here.
7
Bakarindi Bush Foods – Australian bush tucker goes overseas
Finger limes and Davidson plum trees growing on the Gentles’ property in Upper Corindi
Bakarindi Bush Foods is a family owned business run by Ian and Manda Gentle on their 100 acre
property in bushfire-affected Upper Corindi, NSW. Ian and Manda grow 400 finger lime, anise
and lemon myrtle plants, and Davidson plums. Together with their daughter, Jemah, they make
these fruits and plants into delicious jams and sauces.
Ian and Manda are passionate about educating people about Australian bush tucker and can
often be found at the local markets or selling their products and sharing their recipes online.
Manda says Australian bush food is very much a boutique industry and the people that try their
products are looking for something different.
The business experienced a slump in sales after the bushfires, so when the order came from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to purchase a selection of 200 Bakarindi jams
and sauces as part of their ‘Australia Now’ campaign, Manda was delighted.
‘Australia Now’ promotes Australian excellence overseas and by ordering from bushfire-affected
communities, DFAT is supporting communities on their road to recovery. Australian Embassies
and High Commissions will gift the Bakarindi products to special guests at public diplomacy and
cultural programs overseas.
While Ian and Manda did not lose any plants during the fires, the finger lime plants have suffered
heat stress and as a result, the plants dropped their fruit. Manda is currently awaiting horticultural
advice on the health of the plants and is hopeful that the finger limes will not need replacing.
If you are a primary producer or small business owner, you may be interested to know that
eligibility and application deadlines for bushfire recovery programs have been extended.
Find out more here.
8Contact Us
How to subscribe
Do you know someone who wants to receive these updates? They can subscribe at
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above.
Key contacts
Click here for key contacts in state and Australian governments
Email us contact@bushfirerecovery.gov.au
Message us
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question or concern. Our Recovery Support Officers are online to help.
Media enquiries
Email: media@bushfirerecovery.gov.au
Phone: 02 6271 5015
Website bushfirerecovery.gov.au
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Update from the National Bushfire Recovery Agency | Edition Number 12, 24 September 2020
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