Warning: The content on this page discusses floods, storms, and bushfires.
This may be distressing for some individuals.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the emotional effects of these events, please see our Mental health and wellbeing support page.
Stories from those with lived experience
Listening to and understanding the experiences of communities and individuals following an emergency and throughout recovery provides valuable insights that help us learn, improve and plan for future events.
This section showcases stories of resilient recovery. It includes community members who have faced disasters and those who support the recovery process.
By learning from these experiences, we can strengthen our support for community-led recovery.
October 2022 Victorian floods
![Echuca Primary School Hands on Learning program children Echuca Primary School Hands on Learning program children sitting outside on top of building supplies and holding up wooden frames for their outside project](https://content.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-03/EchucaPrimarySchool.jpg?w=1984)
Echuca's youngest building their own recovery
When Emergency Recovery Victoria decommissioned its operational hub, local school kids from Echuca Primary School jumped at the chance to recycle whatever they could cart away as part of their Hands on Learning program.
June 2021 flood and storm
2019-20 Eastern Victoria bushfires
![LINE Wangaratta, Al Winters, Executive Officer LINE Wangaratta, Al Winters, Executive Officer in community workshop setting facing camera with participants sharing art and craft table behind them.](https://content.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-03/LINE-Wangarratta-Al-Winters.png?w=1984)
Building pride and resilience in Victoria's north-east
LINE Wangaratta Pride Hub is part of the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) REJUVENATE program. The program, designed to develop local leadership and accelerate rural entrepreneurship, received grant funding from Emergency Recovery Victoria after the 2019–20 Eastern Victoria bushfires.
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