Bredbo Community Lifting their spirits
Story and photos by Robyn Wilkinson then plagiarised by Nulu
Now at the end of November 2020 as COVID restrictions ease, Bredbo, a small community just south of Canberra, east side of the Murrumbidgee, finds itself heading into Level 2 water restrictions. The feelings of despair are carefully hidden, but can still be detected in the expressions in the community… I can imagine hearing a faint background murmur as though I was watching the closing scene of Gone with The Wind, as Vivien Leigh utters the words … “After all – Tomorrow is another day”
Not waiting around licking their wounds the Bredbo community is not waiting for the next crisis, it was time to talk strategies, exchange experiences and heal. As COVID restrictions eased, team members discussed their plans on what they could do to lift spirits and recharge the community. The intention is to enable the community, the ease to come together, and to fight another day toward prosperity. The elephant in the room is the close proximity of the Murrumbidgee as this community is facing water restrictions.
Of course… first thoughts were of a community BBQ. However, with the difficulty of the currently imposed COVID restrictions, it was evident that today’s gatherings were to be managed with a more strategic duty of care.
Community Dinners … The outcome from a successful grant application for community fire relief, opened the opportunity to set the table and accommodate a catered sit down to break bread over the sharing of compelling stories.
November Nights … Obviously, each Friday night in November presented the opportunity to host up to 30 members at the Bredbo hall and engage the “Silver Bullet” caterers from Cooma, said Robyn Wilkinson. This decision was enthusiastically supported by committee members Kaz Porter, Mel Gillespie, Branwen Frew, Julie Pinter, Debra Menzies, Michelle Henkle and Nicole Cummins.
Caring and Sharing … Over the past 3 weeks, the Bredbo community hosted 112 members of their local community, and would like to thank the following members for their assistance… Jenny Wallis (Bushfire Support Counsellor), P J Ward (Monaro Family Support Recovery Support Service), Evan Goozeff (Business Concierge – Snowy Monaro & Snowy Valleys), Jenny from Red Cross.
Reflection on a community now united… This gave an opportunity for members and neighbours of the Bredbo community that were affected by the seasonal fires and fall out, a chance to reflect and share their experiences and concerns, enabling the community to better understand their needs and responses that are required to stand prepared.
The pressure and successes from the recent traumatic events has given the Bredbo community the confidence to face their next challenge as a united community.
