Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength

“Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength from the Southern Downs” is a community project sharing stories of strength and resilience as well as information about mental health and well-being that supports communities impacted by the 2019 and 2020 bushfires in southern Queensland, Australia. Tune in for conversations with local residents and health and community workers who generously share tips, strategies and resources to support your recovery journey.This podcast is hosted by Kathryn Walton. Season 1 was supported by Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN. Season 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018).

All Episodes

Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength

Preparation, Healing and Hope

July 01, 2021 • Community Collaboration

Sue Frances is a long term resident of the Granite Belt in the Southern Downs Region of southern Queensland. She lives on the edge of Stanthorpe on 5 acres of beautiful bushland with rugged patches of exposed granite that makes this landscape so unique. Sue has generously shared her experiences of the 2019 bushfire with us. I’m sure you will find this conversation both informative as well as inspirational.

In this conversation Sue explains:

her deep connection to the land and wildlife
the period of time leading up to the bushfires that burnt through the region in 2019 and again in early 2020
how several years of low rainfall increased the fire hazard
the unexplained urge to step up her preparation for the possibility of a bushfire in 2019
the value of participating in neighbourhood fire education meetings
the practical preparations she undertook to reduce the fire risk on her property
the importance of having a fire plan and enacting it
what it was like to return home and see her house intact after the fire
the powerful mindset flip that was a turning point in her recovery journey
what has been most helpful throughout her recovery journey and what hasn’t been helpful
her thoughts about the possibility of future bushfires
the importance of a sense of purpose and being able to see the bigger picture

RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode with the Top 3 Takeaways or Tips and a full list of the services and resources we referred to.

Emergency Services – Fire, Ambulance, Police
P: 000 (Triple Zero)

Crisis Support - “Lifeline”
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services
P: 13 11 14

Local hospitals
Find your closest hospital on the Darling Downs here

The Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network (GBSAN)

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN
Use the clickable map to find mental health services in the region

Speak Out Loud has been supported through funding from the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay