The Black Saturday bushfires occurred on 7 February 2009.
In recognition of the thousands of people affected by this disaster and in honour of the 10th anniversary of this event, we share with you a poem written by our team member, Rhonda Abotomey, capturing her experience of post-traumatic growth:
Gift of Hope (… the sanctuary of shared pain)
Edited by Laura Brearley
We come together
Linked by deep common threads of suffering
And even deeper threads
Of resilience and connection
Together in our suffering and survival
There is time to nurture and encourage
Conquering this bushfire
Through spirit and passion
Pillars of strength
Warriors of quiet invisible force
Expressing the most basic of human needs
Love and care
A banquet of soul food
Sustenance for the days ahead
People in action powered by huge hearts
Poetry in motion
Testament to the power of compassion
And the priceless gift of hope