Funding has been extended to provide free psychological support for another 12 months to survivors of Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires, with applications still flooding in from traumatised residents.
While almost 200 lives were lost, the impact on thousands more who were left to pick up the pieces has been enormous and many are still struggling to cope.
Click to view the 2009 bushfire gallery.
An advisory panel to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) made the decision to extend the support package at a recent meeting.
“We know there are some people for whom the psychological trauma is just beginning to take its toll now and we would be appealing for those people to come forward and access the available support,” said panel chair Pat McNamara in a statement.
How communities are coping
The images and stories from the 2009 Victorian bushfires made headlines across the world.
Support came flooding in as Australians – and locals – opened their hearts to the pain and suffering of fire victims.
Wimmera residents reflected on the Remlaw fire one year after the flames were doused.
For some, it was the start of a long healing process which is yet to finish.
At a memorial commemorating the second anniversary, Bendigo woman Carol Kane bravely spoke about the loss of her husband Mick, when fire tore through Bendigo’s western suburbs in February 2009.
The community joined together to unveil a bushfire memorial to tell Bendigo’s Black Saturday story.
But as well as healing, rebuilding efforts continued in earnest, long after the flames were eventually licked.
Help still available
Official figures show almost 15,000 people have received counselling vouchers since the program began.
The program was due to stop next month.
However, residents of bushfire-affected communities now have until June 1, 2012 to apply for vouchers which will be redeemable until August 1, 2012.
The value of the psychological counselling voucher has also increased from $100 to $150.
Complementary therapies including massage and acupuncture can also be accessed under a separate voucher system.
Each week, VBAF estimates up to 20 new requests are received for counselling support while the figure is quadruple for complementary therapies.
Click here for more details on the accessing psychological support vouchers or click here for the wellness program.
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund can also be contacted on 1800 180 213.
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