By Tyler Wright and Liz Millman
The Hills Creative Alliance (HCA) will be holding a community art exhibition on Fridays and weekend afternoons in June and July at the Kawarra Gardens Yarra Ranges Storm Recovery Centre, as they continue working on creative ways to support those who were impacted by last year’s June storm.
Liz Millman, HCA secretary said Denise Rash, Masters student in Therapeutic Arts practices, is supporting the ‘Reflections of the Storm’ showcase.
“Members of the community are invited to share the creative art work they helped them to get through the challenges of coming to terms with the devastation, as well as photographs that tell the story,” Liz said.
These submission can include paintings, photographs, poetry and stories among other creative responses.
The HCA hope to produce a book based on the memories and exploration of last year’s weather events.
The group currently hold ‘Storm Stories’ sessions on Fridays from 10:30am to 12:00pm at Olinda Community House, with refreshments (cake therapy) and the chance to chat, as well as discussions from those who supported the community during this period.
The group has already been joined by speakers from Anglicare, Rotary and the Kalorama Collective after starting in early May, and this week will be joined by Parks Victoria – talking about the challenges they face making the National Park and gardens safe again.
The HCA have also joined the Kalorama Collective in organising the ‘Hills Regrowth and Renewal Community Festival’ on Sunday 17 July. The festival is supported by a Yarra Ranges Council grant and will be held at Kalorama Oval as recognition of the healing ceremony led by local elder Murandindi last July.
If you are interested in sharing your art work or stories of the storm at the HCA Community Exhibition, email: lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk.
To join the ‘Storm Stories’ sessions, community members can call in to Olinda Community House on a Friday morning or contact the Hills Creative Alliance for more information.
