Last summer many towns across Australia suffered due to devastating bush fires.<\/p>\n
The Livingstone region shared in these insurmountable losses throughout their community \u2013 and has since been in a constant state of disaster recovery.<\/p>\n
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Carinity Education Rockhampton is helping the community to become more resilient both before and after natural disasters.<\/p>\n
The school is one of several Queensland community groups and councils to share in almost $2 million in one-off grants provided for disaster recovery under a federal and state government program.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter devastating natural disasters such as fires, floods and cyclones, communities find their strength in banding together, becoming one in support of each other and their community,\u201d Principal Lyn Harland says.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn integral part of the healing process is dealing with the grief and loss to build resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carinity Education Rockhampton has received $140,000 in Community Recovery Challenge grants funding.<\/p>\n
The funding is targeted at running group activities and facilitating training and education over the next 11 months, to aid in building community capacity and resilience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Community Recovery Challenge to be held next April will be the final item in a year-long program aimed at building community capacity both pre and post disaster,\u201d Lyn says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe initiative will include emergency services, police, fire and ambulance services competing against senior school students from across the Livingstone Shire region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carinity Education Rockhampton is keen to begin the search for steering committee members to assist in the funding allocation process.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are an individual community member or a member of a small organisation who maybe has a fantastic idea about building community resilience, the school would love to hear from you,\u201d Lyn says.<\/p>\n