Storm Event Update

Drop into Council’s Recovery Centre located at the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation for help connecting to mental health, wellbeing, financial and business advice services.

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.00am and 3.00pm. 

Please note, the recovery centre will be closed ANZAC Day (Thursday 25 April).

A Recovery Working Group - comprising local community leaders and organisations - has been established to support and build on community led recovery efforts. The group meet regularly and will be considering recovery actions and activities, and providing recommendations to the recovery process.

To ensure the Group has broad range of information and views to help with decision making, we are seeking feedback from Mirboo North and District residents. 

Here’s how you can get in touch:
Email – recovery@southgippsland.vic.gov.au 
Drop In – On Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday each week the Co-Space hosts the Recovery Centre – feel free to drop in and have a chat with the officers who are there on those days, they can help you fill out your suggestion.
Poster Post Its – Community Posters are set up in the Recovery Centre, the Library, the Community Shed, the Bank and St. Mary’s Church.  At these points you will be able to write your suggestions directly on the Posters or pop it in a Suggestion Box.  A web-based option is also coming soon.
Mirboo North Market – You will also be able to make suggestions and give feedback at the Mirboo North Market on Saturday 27 April.

Here are some of the initial themes of community recovery that the working group is hearing:

• Finishing the Clean up
• Revegetation – when / how / what
• Programs to support recovery of individuals and businesses, including mental health 
• Commemoration and celebration

If you were severely impacted by the storm, you may be eligible for a recovery support worker. They can work with you over time to find and access the support you need. To find out more, call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 or visit  www.vic.gov.au/recovery-support

A free outreach legal service is operating at the Community Hub/Co-space (96 Ridgway) every Friday between 10.00am and 4.00pm. If you, or someone you know has been affected by February’s storm event or you wish to learn about how to be legally prepared, you can drop in to the outreach legal service on any Friday or request an appointment via the GCLS website at  www.gcls.org.au or call GCLS on 1800 004 402 (free call). 

MENTAL HEALTH WALK-IN SUPPORT

Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Latrobe is offering free walk-in mental health support from the Mirboo North Medical Centre until the end of April.
The walk-in service is available Monday and Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
For more information or support after the end of April visit www.neaminational.org.au/services or call 1800 571 142.

NEED HELP WITH FARM FENCING 

BlazeAid volunteers will be working locally to rebuild fencing impacted by the February 13 Storm event. Registration is easy, please contact the Camp Coordinator to register for assistance by emailing Yinnar@blazeaid.com.au. Want to volunteer for BlazeAid? You do not need any fencing experience, just a willingness to give it a go and learn on the job. You can even volunteer for a day or two, or a week or more.

FINANCIAL HARDSHIP GRANTS FOR POWER OUTAGES

This is the last week for applications for financial hardship grants of $300.  If you have a health care card or a concession card and had power outage for more than 72 hours, you can register for this grant up until Tuesday 30 April.

Australian Red Cross invites you to join thier online workshop – Caring after a disaster: Community Supporter Wellbeing

Learn more about looking after yourself and others in your community in these free online workshops. If you are supporting others in your community after a disaster as a volunteer, through a community group, in a local business such as a Vet, Hairdresser, Council Worker or as a neighbour, this workshop is for you.

Sessions are held on Tuesday 30 April 10.00am to 12.00pm and Wednesday 1 May 12.30 to 2.30pm.  

To register to access the workshop yourself the Red Cross Recovery team at recovery@redcross.org.au