Families in Batlow, the Snowy Valleys and NSW South Coast regions will benefit from a boost in bushfire recovery support following an announcement this week that local aid agency Anglicare (NSW South, NSW West & ACT) has received a $1.6 million National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA) grant.
The funding will supplement a NSW Government grant of $3.47 million received in 2020 which enabled Anglicare to provide emergency aid during the critical relief stage of the crisis, including the recruitment of locally based Bushfire Recovery Coordinators. For people still in the midst of bushfire recovery in the Snowy Valleys area, the additional funding awarded this week will facilitate specialised Bushfire Recovery Financial Counselling Support.
The NRRA grant also allows for the creation of a Youth Resilience and Engagement Program called ‘Starting FRESH’ designed to help young people recover from trauma and build healthy mental and physical health habits through a fitness and emotional support initiative. The program, which already operates in Wagga Wagga, will be tailored to meet the needs of secondary school aged children in the Snowy Valleys area with a particular focus on those affected by bushfire-related trauma.
Anglicare’s Bushfire Recovery Coordinator in Batlow, Jo Murrell, has been working in her role since March 2020 and is encouraged by what this announcement means for families who are still struggling. “The recovery process can be long and complicated. COVID has also put further stress on those who experienced loss during the Black Summer fires. People still need material aid like food, clothing, financial and housing support, but they also need emotional support. I’m very pleased that Anglicare will be able to offer initiatives that focus on mental health and wellbeing.”
Anglicare CEO, Jeremy Halcrow, says that his agency remains committed to regional areas through what can be a lengthy recovery phase. “We are staying the course with communities right across the region, from the Snowy Valleys to Bega and the South Coast, and are extremely grateful for the NRRA grant as it helps us to further facilitate this commitment. We know the difference this will make for people who are still hurting, and for our team of dedicated Bushfire Recovery Coordinators as they continue to provide support. Approaches which address needs across different age groups and demographics are crucial for the long-term wellbeing of individuals and entire neighbourhoods.”
