On Friday, July 26th, people came together at Mill House, Neighbourhood House, in Maryborough – for the fourth event in our Let’s Talk About BIG Weather series. This gathering, themed “Creative Recovery” focused on how art & culture can provide pathways for healing, especially in the aftermath of extreme weather events.
Event Overview
Our Let’s Talk About BIG Weather program, aims to raise awareness about extreme weather impacts in the Loddon Mallee region & to support local solutions. This event explored the role of creative endeavour in its contribution to supporting & strengthening communities, as they prepare for, respond to & recover from disasters.
Key Takeaways from the Speakers
Helen Kaptein, Central Goldfields Art Gallery:
- Emphasised the transformative power of art, noting that engaging in art makes us stronger, happier & healthier
- Highlighted the role of art in making, sharing, caring, compassion, expression & ingenuity
- Discussed how artists can help us think about big issues & solutions, & how art – including the Central Goldfields Art Gallery, can be a refuge & a place for reflection, solace & difficult conversations
- Mentioned the idea of incorporating art into bushfire shelters & how the community can use the Central Goldfields Art Gallery as a space for healing & resilience
- And encouraged everyone to subscribe to the gallery’s email list to stay in the loop with what’s happening & upcoming opportunities
Dr. Lowen Clarke:
- Addressed the trauma related to extreme weather, such as the loss of gardens, homes & family history & the feelings of powerlessness this can create
- Suggested turning feelings of disempowerment into achievement through creative processes, which he referred to as “creative recovery”
- Shared his own experience of channelling trauma into writing & painting
Sarina Walter:
- Shared her journey of realising the impact of her work in music on the community, particularly through teaching
- Found that teaching strings, performance & art at Maryborough Education Centre has profoundly helped her students overcome difficult times
Participant Input
Attendees were asked to share examples where creative processes or approaches aided them in their objectives or recovery. Here are some of their responses:
- 2011 Floods Recovery: The “Brooklet” initiative by St. Lukes Mental Health Recovery included community-wide events like BBQs & concerts, which brought people together & facilitated healing
- Creative Arts Initiative in Castlemaine: Led by Claire, this project included performances with films, photos, stories & interactive music, helping participants process their experiences
- Art Facilitator Examples: Various community art projects, such as Gallery 127 at Cavoca Rail Station, Words in Winter & the Baring Owl mural, demonstrated the power of art in recovery
- Carisbrook Flood Projects: Recovery efforts included BBQ meals, fundraising & documenting individual experiences through a book
- Melbourne University Oratorio: A performance called “Flood” was part of Creswick’s Cresfest, showcasing the role of music in recovery.
- John Moir’s Insights: Shared three key elements for overcoming challenges: FOCUS, HELPING OTHERS & PLANNING, emphasising the importance of setting clear goals & assisting others in similar situations
- Strathewen Community Recovery: Following the 2009 Black Saturday fires, local school children created a video & book to help others know what to do in a fire, demonstrating the role of creative projects in education & preparedness
Other References & Resources
For further inspiration & information, here are some useful resources:
- Impacts of Creative Recovery Report: Developed by FRRR in conjunction with Creative Recovery Network
- The Role of Creative Arts in Regional Australia: A comprehensive overview of how creative arts contribute to community resilience
- Creative Recovery Network Case Studies: Visit Creative Recovery Network
- Julie Kelly interview – sharing about her creative recovery initiative Underneath My Umbrella
This gathering is part of Let’s Talk About BIG Weather – raising awareness for & supporting the development of local solutions to the impacts of extreme weather. This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. To find out more visit www.makeachange.org.au/big-weather
