A group of community groups and services have banded together to help set up a post-event support system for south-west bushfire victims.
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Freemasons Victoria has raised over $40,000 to provide trauma care services in conjunction with Lifeline Direct, Southwest Primary Care Partnership, Let’s Talk and St John of God Warrnambool.
Freemason Jeremy Cattell said there needed to be more community awareness about the long-term effects of the fires.
“People are, and still will, be struggling,” he said.
“It’s like a death in the family, where you immediately receive all of this help and support but as soon as it’s over the circus moves on and you’re all alone.
“We’ve identified a cultural issue here where people just aren’t asking for the help they need and this program will bridge the gap between those people and the support that is still out there.”
Lismore farmer John Patterson said the need for help only escalated as time went on.
“I was speaking to a farmer who was affected by the fires and when I asked how he was, he said he was good until he started to think about next year,” he said.
“There are big problems that farmers still face and as winter rolls in and the weather starts to bite it becomes even more difficult.”
Mr Cattell said a ‘Recognise, Respond and Refer’ model had been created to give veterinarians, doctors, teachers, businesses and others the skills to identify signs of trauma and assist with connecting individuals with appropriate services.
Terang veterinarian Craig Wood said although the grass was starting to grow back, people couldn’t see the destruction the fires had left on the lives of others.
“There are farmers who have lost generations of their cattle. To them, it is not just their livelihood, these cows were their family,” he said.
A group of eight local representatives met at Masonic Hall in Warrnambool on Thursday to launch and discuss the new support program.
The Freemasons South-West Victoria Bushfire Mental Health Support Program will provide the skills to recognise symptoms, respond appropriately, and refer to specialists who can provide the best level of care.
“Sometimes it’s not as easy as providing someone with a number to call, because they don’t always pick up the phone,” Mr Patterson said.
Funding for the project has been provided by Freemasons Victoria online bushfire appeal, the Freemasons Victoria Foundation and Rosebank Lodge in Beeac.
