Warning: The content on this page discusses floods, storms, and bushfires.
This may be distressing for some individuals.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the emotional effects of these events, please see our Mental health and wellbeing support page.
Stories from those with lived experience
Listening to and understanding the experiences of communities and individuals following an emergency and throughout recovery provides valuable insights that help us learn, improve and plan for future events.
This section showcases stories of resilient recovery. It includes community members who have faced disasters and those who support the recovery process.
By learning from these experiences, we can strengthen our support for community-led recovery.
October 2022 Victorian floods
Echuca's youngest building their own recovery
When Emergency Recovery Victoria decommissioned its operational hub, local school kids from Echuca Primary School jumped at the chance to recycle whatever they could cart away as part of their Hands on Learning program.
June 2021 flood and storm
Barwon’s root balls – nature’s fish hotels
After the June 2021 Victorian floods and storms, storm damaged root balls found a new purpose – helping rehabilitate fish populations in rivers in Victoria.
2019-20 Eastern Victoria bushfires
Yackandandah powers up for a resilient future
This week marks the successful conclusion of a 2-year initiative aimed at ensuring Yackandandah's energy preparedness for sustained outages and emergencies. Funded by Emergency Recovery Victoria, Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) has collaborated with emergency service providers and the community to enhance the town's resilience.
Mallacoota residents surfing the waves of recovery
Reclink Australia has been helping Mallacoota residents re-engage with their environment following the 2019– 2020 Eastern Victorian bushfires.
Building pride and resilience in Victoria's north-east
LINE Wangaratta Pride Hub is part of the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) REJUVENATE program. The program, designed to develop local leadership and accelerate rural entrepreneurship, received grant funding from Emergency Recovery Victoria after the 2019–20 Eastern Victoria bushfires.
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