Preparation, Healing and Hope

Sue Frances is a long term resident of the Granite Belt in the Southern Downs Region of southern Queensland. She lives on the edge of Stanthorpe on 5 acres of beautiful bushland with rugged patches of exposed granite that makes this landscape so unique. Sue has generously shared her experiences of the 2019 bushfire with us. I’m sure you will find this conversation both informative as well as inspirational.

In this conversation Sue explains:

• her deep connection to the land and wildlife
• the period of time leading up to the bushfires that burnt through the region in 2019 and again in early 2020
• how several years of low rainfall increased the fire hazard
• the unexplained urge to step up her preparation for the possibility of a bushfire in 2019
• the value of participating in neighbourhood fire education meetings
• the practical preparations she undertook to reduce the fire risk on her property 
• the importance of having a fire plan and enacting it
• what it was like to return home and see her house intact after the fire
• the powerful mindset flip that was a turning point in her recovery journey
• what has been most helpful throughout her recovery journey and what hasn’t been helpful
• her thoughts about the possibility of future bushfires 
• the importance of a sense of purpose and being able to see the bigger picture 

 RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode with the Top 3 Takeaways or Tips and a full list of the services and resources we referred to.

Emergency Services – Fire, Ambulance, Police
P: 000 (Triple Zero)

Crisis Support  - “Lifeline”
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services
P: 13 11 14

Local hospitals
Find your closest hospital on the Darling Downs here

The Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network (GBSAN)

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN
Use the clickable map to find mental health services in the region

Speak Out Loud has been supported through funding from the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay