Strengthening Communities – Empowering People - Lifeline Darling ...

EQUINE INFLUENZA ONE STOP SHOP
Unfortunately, despite the quarantine, the equine influenza continued to spread throughout South East Queensland
and NSW. On 5th October 2007, Lifeline joined Red Cross and the Department of Communities in establishing
a one stop shop in Toowoomba. The One Stop Shop was co-located with the new Lifeline superstore on Anzac
Ave. Outreach teams were also established in Warwick, Rosewood and Lowood. Lifeline Darling Downs and SW
Q Ltd staffed the Toowoomba One Stop Shop and the Warwick outreach team seven days a week, whilst Lifeline
Ipswich provided counsellors to the Rosewood and Lowood outreach teams. We also provided a number of “one
off” outreach teams to Tara, Stanthorpe, and Dalby.
The One Stop Shop remained open until the 8th of February 2008. During this period, a total of 507 people were
assisted at the Toowoomba One Stop Shop. 217 people were assisted at the Warwick Outreach Team, and 31
people were assisted at various other outreach teams (Stanthorpe, Tara and Dalby).
HAIL AND STORM DAMAGE
Lifeline Darling Downs and SW Q Ltd were also activated to smaller disasters such as hail storms in Jandowae,
Killarney flood and Stanthorpe flood. One Lifeline counsellor joined the community recovery team in Killarney
on Friday 11 January. The rest of the support for these disasters was provided with phone counselling by the
Community Recovery counsellors.
CHARLEVILLE FLOODS
On 24th January 2008 Lifeline Darling Downs and SW Q Ltd was also activated to respond to the Charleville
Floods. Charleville Lifeline counselling staff plus community recovery counsellors from Toowoomba provided
psychological first aid and support to 199 people from activation until the 7th of February. Counselling staff were
involved at the Charleville One Stop Shop, and also in outreach teams to outlying flood affected areas.
MACKAY FLOODS
On 22nd February 2008, Lifeline Darling Downs was contacted by the Acting State wide co-ordinator of Community
Recovery – Richard Johnson. Richard requested that Lifeline Darling Downs & SW Q Ltd provide counsellors
to assist those people affected by floods in Mackay. A team of four counsellors were sent to Mackay for a week
(26th of February until the 2nd of March 2008) to provide counselling. During this period, three counsellors saw
approximately 183 clients. Issues that clients were seen about included grief regarding destroyed belongings, fear
and anxiety following waking up to a flooded house, a family member nearly drowning, feelings of hopelessness for
the future, suicidality, and loss of work or income. These counsellors worked in the One Stop Shops in Mackay, as
well as on outreach teams. The community recovery response in Mackay included contribution from every Lifeline
centre in Queensland.
TRAINING
In October/November 2007, Megan presented two Community Recovery counselling training days which were
attended by 35 people in total. The counsellors trained specifically in community recovery and psychological
first aid included paid counselling staff at Lifeline Darling Downs (rural and Toowoomba), as well as experienced
telephone counsellors.
Two debriefing meetings were offered in February following the closure of the One Stop Shop. This debriefing
involved a service evaluation, plus an opportunity for staff to reconnect with each other and discuss how they
coped performing this often challenging work.
STAFFING
The Community Recovery Team has been staffed by Derek Tuffield (General Manager) from August – September
2007, and then Megan Halliday (Manager) during October 2007- March 2008. 39 counselling staff worked as
counsellors throughout the various community recovery work. Community recovery counsellors were invited to
work casual hours during the response, and some paid staff performed community recovery duties during their
regular work hours.
Following the period of activation, Megan has remained as Manager of Community Recovery, in addition to her
position of Manager of the Family Therapy Team. Since March, Megan has continued to liaise with state wide
Lifeline Community Recovery, remained on the Community Recovery committee in Toowoomba, participated
in additional training and exercises on community recovery and provided ongoing contact and training with our
counsellors.
In summary, this has been an extraordinary year for Community Recovery work at Lifeline Darling Downs and
SW Q Ltd. The ongoing support that we were able to provide over an 8 month period (7 days a week) is a huge
credit to the organisation and its committed staff. It has been a busy, but extremely successful year. Thank you to
everyone who has played a part in the community recovery work.
Megan Halliday
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