By Parker McKenzie
A children’s book exploring the positive community response to the June 2021 weather event in the Dandenong Ranges has been launched with readings to classrooms in the hills.
Primary students at the Dandenong Ranges Steiner School were given an early reading the Story of the Big Storm, which pictures by the students of Mt Dandenong Primary School.
Author Julia Hall said the book was conceptualised by both her son and her in the aftermath of the June storms.
“We had 25 trees come down on that night and then five weeks later, another five,” she said.
“My son Jackson, who was 12 at the time, we had a few ideas of what we put in the book talking about all the good things that happened after a storm where we can together as a community.”
Rescue Logs committee member Wendy Berry visited the Dandenong Ranges Steiner School and read the book to the class of children.
“This one is a special book that’s been written by a lady called Julia and she was involved last year in the big storm,” Ms Berry said to the class.
“All the illustrations are done by children from Mount Dandenong public school, they all drew the pictures and Julia wrote the words.”
Ms Hall — who is the president of Rescue Logs — was originally set to read the book to the class, however, was forced to cancel because she was a close contact to a Covid-19 case.
Children of the Big Storm was published with assistance from Rotary Clubs grants raised for storm recovery.
Emerald Rotary president Shalini Penny said she was excited to see the funding rotary raised go towards a positive story for children to enjoy.
“When we realized that mental health was a problem that seemed to be a really good starting point, especially with the young children,” she said.
“They can look back on this and years to come when they’re adults and they still have those memories, but they’re good memories and not harrowing ones.”
Rescue Logs is an organisation focused on reusing felled trees in the Dandenong Ranges for firewood and other purposes.
Rotary District 9810, particularly Belgrave, Emerald and Monbulk Rotary Clubs, helped raise over $100,000 dollars for the Storm Recovery Fund 2021.
Other potential projects earmarked for funding include satellite phones for emergencies, a new roaster for the Kalorama Chestnut Festival after one of destroyed during the storms and essential equipment for SES units in the Dandenong Ranges.
Ms Hall said there is resources available for people who are still suffering trauma from the storm.
“You’ll notice at the back of the book there is a blurb from Anna Napoli, a child psychologist from Mt Evelyn,” she said.
“It’s really important for children to know they aren’t alone and part of the healing journey is actually processing the vents of that night and talking about it, but also sitting back and looking at the good things that came from it.”
Children of the Big Storm was launched at the Rotary Storm Recovery Festival on Sunday February 27. It can be purchased at www.rescuelogs.org or by visiting Mountain Wholefoods in Mt Dandenong, who have agreed to sell the book with all profits going to Rescue Logs.
