GAINING HIGHER GROUND

Almost a year after the devastating 2022 floods many locals are still experiencing flood-related emotional distress. “This is normal” says Ms. Duke Albada of Resilience Art Therapy. “Over time most people recover well from a disaster, however research by Gordon (2022) and Phoenix Australia indicates the gradual subsiding of initial mental health concerns, symptoms and reactions to a disaster may take up to 18 months. And it appears that demands for mental health support addressing psychological distress increase at 6, 12 and 18 months (Phoenix).”

Hence, the free mentalwellbeing program for adults Duke is facilitating in collaboration with Murwillumbah Community Centre and funded by Healthy North Coast / PHN North Coast. is timely. This 10-weekly program offers standalone sessions, providing an outlet to work through flood and recovery experiences and to look to the future. Duke notes “expressing yourself, verbally or visually, can help in processing the trauma you experienced. Collaboratively exploring and telling one’s story can help to make sense of what happened and coming to terms with the events, disaster responses and after-effects.

Traumatic memories may be stored as disconcerting images or sensations, compatibly, verbal, and visual expression is a means to externalise and process these issues and feelings.”

The semi-structured focus will be on connectedness; empowerment, exploring personal and collective strengths and resources; psychoeducation on disaster reactive phases, coping styles and emotional states; adaptability; self-care and enjoying oneself. Participants are supported in the psychological process and guided in the verbal and creative investigation.

Duke is a registered art therapist and describes the value of the creative process as “a means of expression” emphasising participation does not require experience or artistic skills. “The desired outcome is to find different perspectives supportive of increased (self) awareness. Also, the physical engagement can release neurobiological stressors, provide subjective emotion regulation, and function as a coping strategy. Additionally, symbolic artmaking offers a contained pathway to visualise goals or practice risk.” A range of art and craft media will be available.

From 7 February through to 11 April 2023, each Tuesday, 1-4pm at Nullum House Murwillumbah.

From 9 March thought to 11 May 2023, each Thursday, 1-4pm at 41 Pearl Street, Kingscliff. If you are interested in participating, please contact Eve 0484 913 018 evelyn@mccentre.org.au for more information or to register. Participants may join as many sessions as befits them.

“People’s notions of safety, identity, belonging, trust, and hope were shattered by the mass experience of uncertainty, loss of property, and compromised attachment bonds with one’s secure base, either home or environs (Hobfoll, et al., 2007).”

Jim is a man grieving for his wife who recently died. There isn’t much left in life for him, even to the point where he contemplates and nearly carries out his own suicide. Then, in a twist of circumstances, Bonny comes into his life.

Bonny is a young mother, also surviving devastating loss, whose choice in men has tended to get her into trouble, none more dangerous than the friend of her friend she goes out to party with on a secluded beach one night.

Jim loves fishing and it is this past-time which takes him out to the same secluded beach with his daughter Lexy, at night when the fish are biting. What takes place next

CARS OUT PEOPLE IN – BYRON BAY COMMUNITY MARKET MOVING TO THE CBD

From Sunday 5 March the monthly Byron Bay Community market will move from the beach front to the centre of town.

Jonson Street, between Marvell Street and Byron Street, will be closed to traffc on the frst Sunday of each month with the market to spread from Jonson Street, through Railway Park and into the rail corridor. Traffc detours will be in place for stall owners to set up and pack down and for the duration of the market and the Byron Bay bypass will allow drivers to avoid the central business district (CBD). Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said relocating the market will transform the centre of town into a vibrant precinct flled with music, delicious food and market stalls. “Bringing people instead of cars into the CBD is a key priority of the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan and I think people will really enjoy wandering through the rail corridor, Railway Park and into Jonson Street and the shops beyond,” Mayor Lyon said. “Many people are not aware of the large amount of green space in the CBD and it will be terrifc to see it full of people,” he said. The current location of the market on the beachfront was only meant to be temporary. The market moved to the beach front in July 2019 when the original market site, Butler Street Reserve, was closed to allow for the construction of the Byron Bay bypass. The bypass was opened in March 2021 but the market did not move back to Butler Street Reserve because the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) determined that because the Reserve is a contaminated former tip, that it is not appropriate to host an event the size of the community market without Council undertaking further investigations and potentially remediation work. “We think that moving the community market to the town centre will be extremely positive for stall holders, businesses, visitors and of course locals,” Mayor Lyon said. Electronic message boards will be in place, advising of the traffc and parking changes and information is also on Council’s website.