Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
“When compounding events happen like this – events that are actually unrelated to one another – it makes it more difficult,” she said.
“We are not a big community — it’s particularly [hard] when you are connected to different events.
“[People] can feel this very keenly, this barrage, if you like, of things happening in their life.”
Dr Moreton said compounding events could make it difficult for the community to effectively process trauma and start to heal.
She said it was important the community came together to support each other, and events like participating in a community vigil could help.
“People are connecting with one another. Sometimes they’re strangers, sometimes they are friends, and know the families,” she said.
“But this reaching out is a really important part of recovery.”
Mine collapse anxiety
Just before 5pm on Wednesday this week a rockfall in Ballarat Gold Mine led to the death of 37-year-old Bruthen man Kurt Hourigan.
A 21-year-old Ballarat man was also seriously injured in the incident.
He remains in a critical condition today.
Twenty-eight other workers managed to escape the mine without serious injury and are now dealing with the loss of a colleague and friend.
Mining engineers and union representatives have called for improved regulations and Australian Workers’ Union members said safety concerns had been previously raised with the operator, Victory Minerals.
Residents of the Ballarat suburb of Mount Clear have been fighting in a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) against the construction of a fourth tailings dam at the mine this week.
Tailings dams store the often-toxic by-products of mining and three pools at the site have reached capacity.
Hours before the rockfall on Wednesday afternoon, community members toured the surface of the mine.
The VCAT hearing continues.
Search grips nation
Samantha Murphy’s disappearance in early February captured the attention of people around the world.
charged with murder and the case is before the courts.
Community members joined the search and held a vigil two weeks ago after police made the arrest.
Ms Moreton urged the people to keep supporting each other.
She said there was a sense of shared grief and noted that people had also done what they could to help with the search.
“There are a number of elements of psychological sense of wellbeing and one of those is a sense of safety,” Ms Moreton said.
“We need to reclaim that sense of safety.”
Fires claim homes
A haze of smoke hung over Ballarat in February as bushfires raged in Victoria’s west.
The city housed dozens of New South Wales firefighters at a pop-up camp as a blaze tore through an area west of the city.
It burnt through more than 17,000 hectares of land and several properties were destroyed.
Temperatures reached the high 30s in the west earlier this month and residents seemed to hold their breath amid the dangerous conditions.
Conditions eased this week, but the hot weather is expected to return this weekend.
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Source: abc.net.au
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
