Women's stories of the 19/20 Black Summer Bushfire

Over the past 13 months, I had the privilege of coordinating a powerful and transformative

project that validated women’s experiences during the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires. As

a former RFS firefighter and Community Engagement facilitator, I understood the disaster

from a different perspective. This project, however, allowed me to connect deeply with

women whose lives were profoundly impacted. We shared tears, laughter, stories, and

healing. Over time, I witnessed remarkable growth—confidence returned, friendships

formed, and resilience emerged.

In March 2022, I facilitated story-sharing workshops, where women began openly expressing

their lived experiences. Encouraged by their progress, I proposed recording their stories—an

idea warmly embraced. With funding secured and a skilled videographer onboard, we filmed

over four days, finishing just before the scheduled June 15th screening. Despite a few

technical hiccups, the premiere was powerful. When the film ended, silence filled the

room—an emotional moment that captured the impact of their shared journey.

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