Art classes proving an essential recovery tool for bushfire-devastated town
In the aftermath of the devastating Mallacoota bushfires, many struggled to find words and ways to deal with the psychological trauma. But four and a half years later, some residents are finding therapy in creative expression. From basket weaving to painting, art classes are serving some community members as a tool to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, supporting their recovery.
Category
đź“ş
TVTranscript
00:00Concentration is high as works take shape.
00:05It's been wonderful. It's brought a lot of people together socially and got them out of their homes.
00:11We've made lots of new friends.
00:13Since the devastating 2019 bushfires, Malakuta's art gallery has transformed into a space of connection, creation and healing.
00:23So many people after the bushfires have suffered PTSD and will probably be traumatised by what they saw and what they felt.
00:33Having lost everything herself, Lynne Casement helped setting up art workshops,
00:39serving as a form of therapy, supporting people's recovery journey.
00:45It gives you something else to focus on because, you know, we cry together, we laugh together.
00:52Non-for-profit organisation Reckling Australia has been offering free art, sport and recreational activities in bushfire-affected communities.
01:02The impacts on our community is a real uplifting of the whole community.
01:06We're seeing people come back together, increase social networks.
01:11We're seeing self-confidence, self-esteem, community engagements a lot higher.
01:16For resident Sarah Holt, the art classes built a bridge to tackle loneliness.
01:22After moving from Melbourne to Malakuta in 2019, she lost everything just months later.
01:29I felt very isolated here, so it's been a really wonderful thing to have a safe place to come and get to know people.
01:38Community organisations now hope that funding and support will continue to provide crucial recovery services for bushfire-affected communities.
01:46Using creative expression to paint a positive future.