BCHS Community Newsletter - Other - Page 7
NURTURING AFTER NATURE’S FURY
As the BCHS Flood Recovery
program draws to a close,
its dedicated support worker
Oscar Malyon reflects on a
tremendous three years.
Stepping into my role as a Flood
Recovery Support Worker with BCHS,
I remember feeling a mixture of
nerves, curiosity and determination.
The position was brand new, and
none of us knew exactly what to
expect but we knew the community
needed us. We were allocated to
provide support in four LGAs
affected by the 2022 flood eventGreater Bendigo, Campaspe, Loddon
and Mount Alexander.
We hit the ground running, ready to
meet with residents and begin what
would be a long and emotional
recovery journey.
In those early days, our small and
cramped office at the old Eaglehawk
site became our makeshift control
room. We filled the walls with
whiteboards covered in phone
numbers, contact details and referral
pathways. Space was tight, but our
focus was clear: build a program that
could guide people through some of
the most challenging months and
Oscar has
more to sa
y!
Click here
to
read his fu
ll
reflection
.
years of their lives. We spent untold
hours canvassing, networking, and
building relationships with the many
stakeholders involved in emergency
recovery. These partnerships proved
essential as we helped clients
rebuild homes, access mental health
support, and navigate the
complicated process of returning to
some sort of stability.
Much of our time was spent on the
road, visiting clients in their homes,
or back at the office making phone
calls. Each person we met had a
deeply personal story about their
experience of the flood, filled with
fear, loss and resilience.
Hearing these accounts was often
confronting, but always deeply
humbling. By the end of the first year,
we had supported over 100 flood
affected households. The personal and
professional growth we experienced
that year was enormous. Together,
we shaped a program grounded in
compassion, responsiveness, and
genuine connection. A program
we are proud of.
After a second flood event in 2024, we
quickly realised our work was far from
over and our household numbers grew
close to 150, reflecting both the need
in our community and the trust placed
in our service.
Though the program is now coming to
an end, looking back, I feel incredibly
honoured to have supported so many
remarkable people through such
challenging times. This journey has
been intense, emotional and deeply
rewarding. It has reminded me of the
resilience of our communities and the
power of genuine, person-centred
support.
I am grateful to be part of a team
that shows up, listens, adapts, and
remains committed no matter how
unpredictable the path becomes. Enjoy
the holidays and stay safe everyone.
Golly Gough!
At the recent BCHS annual general
meeting, former CEO Sue Clarke
gifted us her personally signed 1975
Gough Whitlam poster.
The Gough Whitlam government
was instrumental in the beginning
of community health back in Bendigo
in 1974.
"It's time," Sue said
