Volunteers are picking up where they left off after drought, bushfires, floods and then COVID-19 impacted largely on local community activities.
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On the Bulga plateau, bushfires burnt extensively through the area last year, and residents have largely been isolated since, as they navigate post-fire recovery.
Following the fires, residents began to gather more regularly over hot cuppas and lunch at the Elands Community, Health and First Aid Centre. They shared stories about what had happened and held workshops on various matters aimed at building community resilience and connection.
These gatherings turned into "The Recombobulation Project".
"We suffered greatly through the bushfires, flooded in and out of our properties and isolated with COVID," treasurer Amanda Musico said.
"We needed to recombobulate - to reinvigorate our community. A centre to recombobulate sounded fun and something encompassing many facets of what we need in the community."
But COVID-19 put a temporary hold on that. While they did utilise Videochat for meetings, it was good to meet up in person again.
"For me meeting up has given a sense of normality and hope. Sharing a meal with others, a sense of connection... a belonging to community," local resident Wendy Davis said.
The committee is thinking of ways they can further support residents who have been isolated and affected by recent events.
Like many community groups, reduced cash flow and volunteering capacity has stalled projects, and the committee is now looking at various funding options to install a reverse cycle air conditioning unit.
"We need air-conditioning to make our groups comfortable, it's not helpful to be cold or hot while discussing difficult subjects, being physically comfortable is so important," Amanda said.
They also want to install solar panels and secure alternate off-grid power to reduce their operating costs, which will allow them to hold more community events that benefit the community, as well as moving towards sustainable operations.
This will allow the centre to continue to offer essential utilities during times of prolonged blackouts as well as providing a welcoming place for people to connect and support each other. This includes access to kitchen, bathroom and laundry services, somewhere to charge their phones and access communication.
The Bulga community experiences regular planned and unplanned blackouts, sometimes for up to three days. The length and frequency of blackouts is partly due to the remote location and inaccessibility of grid infrastructure.
During prolonged blackouts, many people have lost the contents of their fridges and freezers, and are unable to access their water, including toilets. Access to clean, running water is reliant on a power source.
