Creative Recovery
2018 Bushfires Creative Recovery Projects
The bushfires of November - December 2018 were the first ever declared bushfire disaster in the Mackay region.
Unprecedented heatwave conditions led to catastrophic fires in areas no one thought possible – the rainforest. Communities such as Finch Hatton, Eungella and surrounds were seriously threatened and residents experienced grief at the loss of 63,194 hectares of the bordering Eungella National Park.
This webpage showcases the processes completed and works created by professional artists and local residents of all ages and abilities as part of two major community-led arts projects.
The benefits of the arts in facilitating recovery from disaster can include providing creative outlets for people to express their thoughts and emotions about an event and building connections.
Here, they share their loss as well as celebrate the strength of communities that came together to save their homes, livelihoods and the environment.
Creative Recovery exhibition photo gallery
Eungella film Eungella's Range Ablaze
My Resilient Community Finch Hatton
Across the divide: how an isolated community stayed connected
When severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie destroyed the main access road into the small, rural community of Sarina Range in 2017, it left 500 residents physically and socially isolated.
The story of how they coped through this period is one of connection to people and place. Read more here.