Communities in Katoomba and Lawson rally behind Get Ready events
The staff the Little Village Co cafe in North Katoomba who generously hosted Saturday’s Get Ready event
A local family who had just recently moved to the area came along to say hi
Despite cold and rainy weather, locals turned out in force this weekend for our two Get Ready events. The first was held at the Little Village Co cafe which is a buzzing community hub in North Katoomba.
An eclectic mix of community members came along to attend the workshop - both young and old - where they listened to bushfire consultant Tony Hawkins speak about preparing your home for bushfires, Dr Lisa Goodchild talk about keeping pets safe during disasters and RV's Renee Vincent run a session on Person Centred Emergency Planning.
Throughout the day the dream team at Little Village Co served up a lush selection of FREE coffee and cake while Amy Harrison from Floraculture studio and Laura the Woodland Fairy added colour and beauty to the day with floral workshops and face painting for kids.
Amy Harrison from Floraculture studio shows local kids how make floral creations.
Bushfire consultant Tony Hawkins speaks to locals at Rosey Ravelston Books
On Sunday, 3 November 2024, a second Get Ready event was held at another vibrant community hub, Rosey Ravelston Books in Lawson. Bushfire Consultant Tony Hawkins also spoke at this event along with RV’s project lead, Anne Crestani, with lots of local kids also coming along to create floral masterpieces with Amy Harrison.
This event also included a special performance of the short play, Time to Leave which was written by local playwright Liz Barclay and performed by local actresses.
The play tells the story of two sisters, Charlie, 9, and Lucy, 19, who live in the Megalong Valley and are told that they have to leave their home as a bushfire is approaching. As the sisters grapple with decisions like what to pack and do with their pets, the play explores the practical and emotional dimensions of that all-to-real scenario for many children living in the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains playwright Liz Barclay with the young actresses starring in Time to Leave
All up these events were a great exercise in bringing community together and were a fun and engaging way to provide locals of all ages with the skills and information needed to help them get prepared for any adverse events that might be coming their way.