Christmas Hills – Courage, Connection and a Perfect Balance of Light and Heavy
Saturday 15 November began with an early start and a long, winding drive to Christmas Hills Fire Station North. Google Maps sent us the scenic way (!) along Skyline Road - a route that was truly spectacular in the early morning light. Rolling hills, sharp ridgelines and pockets of dense bush created breathtaking views, while also serving as stark reminders of just how quickly fire can race through this landscape.
We were joined by a group of 10 participants: our most engaged group yet. The diversity of lived experience in the room was hugely beneficial: CFA volunteers, new residents, Black Saturday survivors, people who had faced fires as children, and one participant who had recently experienced a fire in their own home. Their willingness to bring such varied histories into a shared conversation was generous and powerful.
Our session was warmly hosted by Peter, a long-standing member of the Christmas Hills CFA, who opened both the station and his community connections to the program. It was uplifting to hear that a number of younger recruits have recently joined the brigade - a hopeful sign, particularly as many other communities are grappling with declining volunteerism as older members retire and younger generations juggle competing demands.
The workshop itself was a perfect mix of serious and light: exactly the variation needed when exploring something as deeply personal, painful and complex as bushfire decision-making. One participant shared:
“There was a great balance between light and heavy — I couldn’t have coped with the immersive experience if there hadn’t been a dose of humour and even fun. In terms of emotional reaction, it was a huge lesson: my highly emotional response. Knowledge and better preparation should make the difference in future.”
- Karen Throssell
Another wrote:
“An excellent program that provides something important not covered by other initiatives. Highly recommend.”
These reflections speak to the essence of the workshop: creating a safe and supportive space to explore fear, memory and decision-making, while also finding moments of levity and connection that help people carry the load.
Below is a photo of Carol (second from the left) with our Christmas Hills superstars: a group who showed extraordinary courage in walking into the session with heavy stories, and (we hope) walking out with lighter hearts.
