For many of us the Black Summer Bushfires have become a distant memory. The pandemic, flooding, rental crises and rising interest rates have taken our attention in turns.
Yet, for those who were impacted, daily reminders of the devastation continue, and for Anglicare Bushfire Recovery Financial Counsellor, Chris Heckenberg, the job of helping is still ongoing.
In the immediate aftermath of the fires, everyone from the Red Cross to the Army came to help, Chris remembers. Chris was there with them at the start. He joined the Anglicare Bushfire Recovery Response Team, as a Financial Counsellor working across the whole of the Snowy Mountains, Monaro and Snowy Valleys.
“Given the devastating loss many who came to see me had experienced, I was extremely aware from the outset that I had to use a trauma informed approach in all my client work,” said Chris. “Many of the people I support were too bewildered in the immediate aftermath of the fires to act. Making long-term decisions are difficult for those impacted by trauma. I offered to draw up a “Road Map” for them setting out each step and crossing off each task as they reached each of their destinations along the way.”
“I found when working in rural areas it is particularly important to meet face to face with people. Community leaders, service providers and clients all appreciate checking-out and summing up a person in the flesh.” he said.
Nearly three and a half years have passed since the fires and while most, if not all, services are now gone Chris is still on the ground battling for his clients. Still on the same journey with clients as they face insurance companies, unscrupulous building companies and additional local government building regulations which leave them with no options but to live in shipping containers and caravans for years to come. And experiencing some nice wins along the way too of course.
“I would never give up my job, he said. “It’s being invited to share in the journey of recovery by these beautiful, resilient people who make it all worthwhile.”
