New Life in Strathewen

A sure sign of hope shoots from the Victorian bushfire ashes as a Pink Lady flower emerges in the fire ravaged township of Strathewen near Kinglake.

After the Theatre of Spontaneity

Hi there,

I have been feeling shocked and overwhelmed by the past two weeks. Yesterday when Bob and I drove down to Melbourne through the blackened forests that used to burst forth life, past lost homes and businesses, I felt the helplessness and hopelessness of loss. There appeared to be nothing living in what was left of the forests. I said to Bob that this charred forest is too damaged to regenerate. It's beauty gone. I silently wept.

Bob said that the forest would grow again, but I didn't listen. I couldn't listen as what was before me seemed too destroyed.

As we drove we listened to the remembrance service with the beautiful songs, and we both wept.

We spent the afternoon reconnecting with family. Then we joined psychodrama friends at the Theatre of Spontaneity and had an opportunity to tell our stories, hear the stories of others, and share in the sadness of everyone's loss. Through this experience our anger and sadness changed to hope for the future and joy in the strength of the relationships of our family and friends.

This morning I was moved to write some poetry about my experience, which I would like to share with you.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for being in my life.

With love,
Linda

Images of Black Saturday - A Poem

Images of Black Saturday: by Linda Harrington, Yarck CFA

Hot.
The thirsty air drank from my very skin, leaving it dry as parchment.
Unbearably hot.
So hot that the fruit cooked on our orchard trees.
The air eerily calm, like in the eye of a storm.

Then it came.
A searing wind that scorched the life out of all it touched;
a blow torch out of control.
The dust filled sky radiated a scary orange brown,
An ominous prediction of things to come.

Birds stopped singing.
Animals cowered.
We cowered under the awesome might of nature,
Then we rose up
and fought.

Yarck’s CFA tankers had gone,
called away to fight fires erupting at Kilmore.
At three pm, the unbelievable – a power outage.
A power outage to a town with only tank water
And water pumps need power!

A town vulnerable
put their fire plan into action.
No time to think.
Stay to defend or leave.
Hesitation, Disbelief.

This won’t happen to us.
This can’t happen.
I won’t leave, some said.
We’ll defend with a bucket and mop!
And pray the fire doesn’t come our way.

The radio presenter’s voice turned to disbelief and horror
As the fire raped and razed towns and moved on.
Kilmore, Wandong, Flowerdale, Hazeldene, Humevale,
Kinglake West, Strathewen, Arthur’s Creek, Kinglake.
Our shire was on fire!

More fires at Narbethong, Buxton, Marysville and Taggerty.
The fire’s velocity was merciless.
Our tankers were diverted to Marysville.
But there was no mention of Marysville on the radio.
Maybe it was all a hideous mistake.

Rostered to relieve the first crew at 3 a.m.
I learnt that Tanker 2 had been abandoned amidst the Marysville inferno.
The crew escaped with minor burns and had joined Tanker 1.
Also in trouble, valiantly the crew protected themselves from the radiant heat
And barged their way to safety.

Seven a.m. Sunday
I am on another tanker, going to Marysville.
Escorting the ambulance, food and emergency vehicles -
Why is there still no mention of Marysville on the radio.
Was it just a bad dream? Or a horror movie?

The road in was hideous,
Fallen trees, dead animals, burnt homes, some still burning.
And burnt out cars.
People who had tried to escape
But the fury of the fire was merciless.

As we entered our picturesque historic town,
Disbelief and shock.
We were greeted with blackened twisted rubble.
It seemed that ash and debris was all that was left,
and a river flowing black with soot.

But no,
On the oval huddled a group of survivors.
Townsfolk in shock.
Firefighters in shock
Support services in shock – and supporting one another.

On the back of the fire truck tears welled in our eyes,
speechless at the sights facing us.
Humbled by the survivor’s courage and spirit
I knew that we might have lost this battle
But we would win the war.

The Theatre of Spontaneity - February 2009

On Sunday, 22 February from 6 - 8 p.m the first Theatre of Spontaneity for 2009 takes place at PIM, 155 Langridge St.

The evening is dedicated to the community in response to the tragedy brought about by the fires that razed communities last weekend and took lives. It is a place to bring forward stories, to grieve and to celebrate life.
This evening provides an opportunity to say goodbye, to bring forward questions, to put words and actions to feelings within the embrace of the psychodrama community.

The fee is $20.00 ($15.00 for MPS members) Proceeds will be donated appropriately to the Fire Appeal in consultation with those members.

The Bush Fires of Melbourne

At the present time, I can say that all members of the Moreno Psychodrama Society and PIM are safe. Margaret Cunningham and her husband and children, who live in Chads Creek Rd, Strathewen survived an horrendous event, even saving their house. The children were evacuated however Margaret and Bruce stayed and fought the fire. They have property and animal damage. Bob Cummings and Linda Harrington are also safe. They live in Yarck. Both Linda and Bob are members of the bush firefighters (CFA) and have been, and still are valiantly fighting the fires and assisting the people of Marysville and other townships struck down by the tornedo of fire. We are so grateful they are alive. Other members' family members have lost property, some, all that they have - apart from each other which is a blessing for sure.
We have all been touched by these fires. Everyday, I hear from people who have experienced a death of either a friend, friend of friend, or a colleague, and once, of almost all of the person's social and cultural atom, apart from their family. I feel immeasurably sad. I feel uplifted to hear the stories of people, the 24/7 support of the media, particularly those radio stations that continually broadcast from the ground zero of the fires, as this helps my grief. I feel with the people, I can embrace them with my heart and mind, having them in heart and mind. I am glad to hear of a little koala drinking from a water bottle, a little pony arriving, and that water and hay are available for him. I am glad to hear of people wanting tools to start working again and temporary fencing. I am glad to hear from Margaret Cunningham, and to hear Bob and Linda's voices.
With love and blessings, Sue Daniel

2009 TRAINING at PIM

This coming weekend, 14th & 15th of February, the Advanced Training Group (Practicum Level) commence training.

The Opening Night of PIM is next Friday evening, 20th February. A light supper will be served. Trainees may bring friends and colleagues interested in psychodrama to this event.

The weekend workshop of 21 & 22 February marks the start of the training year for the Level 3 (Thursday Evening) Training Group.

Tuesday February 24 is the commencement date for the Level 1 & Level 2 Training Groups.

The Moreno Psychodrama Society is holding a One-Day Conference with the theme 'Optimism' on Saturday 11th of July at the Abbotsford Convent in St Helliers St, Abbotsford from 9 until 6. Registration from 8 a.m. There will be 8 sessions of 1.5 hours. Final call for proposals 24 February.

For enquires regarding Ongoing Training Courses, Theatre of Spontaneity, The One-Day Conference 'Optimism' on Saturday 11th of July (change of date from 18th) or Workshops: telephone 94163779 or email pim@netspace.net.au

DREAMTELLING

Dr. Robi Friedman
Will present a 2-Day
Workshop
In conjunction with
The Australian Association
of Group Psychotherapists
Vic Branch
DREAMTELLING,
Israeli-Palestinian groups and Relational Disorders
February 21st & 22nd 2009
at
The Treacy Centre
126 The Avenue, Parkville, VIC.

Dr Robi Friedman is President of the Israeli Association of Group Psychotherapy, and co-founder of the Israeli Institute of Group Analysis. He has published widely, and co-edited a book with Claudio Neri and Malcolm Pines, 'Dreams in Group Psychotherapy.' 2002. Jessica Kingsley Press, UK. All of his works apply equally to individual psychotherapy as well as to group work.


REGISTRATION FEES:
After Jan 5th 2009
$290 Both days
$165 Each day
Concessional rates applicable upon request. In case of cancellation each case will be considered individually.

PAYMENT DETAILS: Cheque to:
Australian Association of Group Psychotherapists, Vic Branch.

MAILING DETAILS: The Conference Organiser,
PO Box 2123, Moorabbin, VIC. 3189

A list of Robi’s publications on this and other topics can be supplied on request.

As places are limited, kindly reply ASAP.

All enquiries to Dr. Sabar Rustomjee
sabar@iprimus.com.au or Paging Service 8508 9000