Community members impacted by the January 9 fire at Ravenswood, Walmer, Harcourt and Sutton Grange are invited to meet and yarn with representatives of Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action to share their stories and hear about how other bushfire survivors have used their experiences for change.
Serena Joyner (Blue Mountains) and Jan Harris (Bega Valley) from Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, will be at the Taproom at Shedshaker Brewing at The Mill Castlemaine next Tuesday evening February 24, and at the Harcourt Leisure Centre on Wednesday February 25.
Jan explained they are visiting Harcourt and surrounds to listen to and yarn with those impacted by the recent fires.
“As survivors ourselves each of us has felt the devastating loss brought about by bushfires – whether it be a home, cherished mementos or our sense of safety and peace of mind. But from these devastating origins, we have discovered strength, and our voices,” she said.
“We have forged a vibrant and diverse community of survivor advocates who share an unwavering commitment and determination to end the mining and burning of fossil fuels for the safety and well-being of all communities,” Jan said.
“We are keen to meet with locals to listen and talk, and for them to know they are not alone. We are here to help amplify the voices of those directly and indirectly impacted by bushfires.
“Speaking up is definitely not for everyone, and there is no pressure to join us. But we want to offer solidarity, a listening ear and to answer questions for anyone curious about the work we do. Like me, some of our survivor advocates lost everything. But like Serena, some didn’t lose a home, but can
speak to their own frightening experiences and the impact the fires have had on their communities,” Jan said.
Serena said they have visited other communities affected by catastrophic fires.
“We were in Pomonal and Halls Gap after the terrible fires there last year and sat with survivors and heard their stories,” she said.
“We are all seeing fires getting more intense and more destructive, and the costs to our communities are rising and rising. It’s just not fair that big polluting corporations responsible for making climate change worse are making huge profits but are not helping us. Those companies need to pay a levy to pay for the costs of our community’s recovery and fund the work needed to be better prepared for a hotter and more unstable future,” Serena said.
Interested community members are welcome to pop into the Taproom on Tuesday February 24 from 5pm or the Harcourt Recovery Centre on Wednesday February 25 at 11am if you want to chat with Jan and Serena.
Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (BSCA) is a non-partisan, community organisation made up of bushfire survivors, firefighters and their families working together to call on our leaders to take action on climate change.
BSCA has been at the cutting edge of legal reform to reduce climate emissions and hold governments, agencies and companies to account.Visit https://bushfiresurvivors.org