Sheds provide shelter for bushfire survivors on page 10 by Gamilaraay academic, Prof Bob Morgan explains how the social and cultural determinants of health need to be the focus. On page 24 there is also an article on ways to reduce the number of young people incarcerated by targeting those with cognitive impairment and referring them to a diversionary program rather than sending them prison for a relatively minor crime. A recent visit to the CCC (photo opposite) by CEO Rekindling the Spirit, Georgina Cohen, RN Balund-a/Jullums John Llewellyn, GP Peter Silberberg and myself was an eye opener for its size and infrastructure. It has the most advanced systems imaginable for secure incarceration. Contraband smuggled into jails is a worldwide problem and happens significantly in Australian jails too. The measures to reduce this problem were demonstrated to us, with security systems far more sophisticated than an airport. While there were no barred windows there were plenty of near impenetrable, see-through ones. We were shown the emergency health facility, similar to what one may see in an accident and emergency department in a rural public hospital. We spoke with Serco’s Health Services Manager Stephen Joyce and Dr Trish Collie, an addiction specialist physician. Important issues for us were addressed by the health team and good progress was made in developing a professional working relationship. Sharing medical records after custodial patient consent with primary health care teams, wherever they may be, was a discussion priority. Whatever one’s view on the issues surrounding complex cultural, socioeconomic, historical and trauma issues that often lead to imprisonment, there is an opportunity with this new facility to address health issues for such prisoners, whether as inmates or postrelease. It is up to us all to respond as best we can and to advocate for the health and wellbeing of this severely disadvantaged group in our community.
Jubullum Aboriginal community member Daniel Walker, Vinnies St Therese Casino Conference president Marlene Landrigan, The Shed of Hope’s Greg Dollin and Vinnies Richmond Regional president Michael Albany with the donated water tank.
The message came to Greg Dollin in a dream: “I was wondering what practical help we might offer those unfortunate people whose homes had been destroyed in the bushfires, and then it came to me… call it a message from God… we could build sheds where they live with their families while assessing the damage and beginning to rebuild their lives.” It was January 2020, and the fires that had swept through farms and bushland to the west of Casino were finally being brought under control. Rappville was one community badly affected, with homes lost and the Tarmac sawmill, run by the biggest local employer, burnt to the ground. Property owners on remote holdings around Tabulam, where Greg is based, were among those affected, with buildings gone and vital infrastructure such as solar equipment, water tanks and pumps destroyed. An adept handyman and something of an inventor, Greg started to create something that was new even for him - a charity that came to be called Shed of Hope. Relying on donated funds, including a massive $60,000 transfer from a US charity, Shed of Hope has now built around 40 habitable sheds on properties between the Richmond and Clarence Valleys. It is headquartered in a gigantic shed in Tabulam filled with donated furniture, non-perishable food and personal items that are delivered to, or collected by, people still struggling to cope with the impacts of the bushfires. In Greg’s view, the full recovery is likely to take from five to eight years, with most rural landholders having little choice but to remain on their properties, hence the need for the sheds, built by the charity’s volunteers using largely donated materials. They also undertake site remediation to help get the rebuilding process started. Shed of Hope’s HQ has become a major hub for the distribution of bushfire relief, including water for the many locals whose tanks were destroyed by fire. Vinnies is one of the charity’s partners and recently donated a new 22,500 litre tank to collect rainwater for filling the portable containers brought in by outlying residents. “Like Vinnies, we’re here for the long haul,” Greg said. “The more you get around, the more you realise how badly affected so many people have been. The shed project enables them to stay on their land, and live at least halfcomfortable lives while they engage in the rebuilding.”
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