With the recent severe weather around Victoria, many of our regional services and their communities have been battling the effects of flooding.
On November 12, the Echuca Regional Health Palliative Care Team felt fortunate when the rain ceased for a few hours, allowing them to hold their planned bereavement service.
It was their first bereavement service since the pandemic, which made it particularly poignant for those in attendance. Whilst numbers were down on past events the team were happy with the turn-out. During her reflection of loss and grief, celebrant, Ruth, embraced the community and the current crisis.
Community members participated with candles and white flowers, and each person received seedlings of Forget Me Not, as a gift of hope.
The team has been working with their Rochester patients who were displaced and now homeless, supporting them and referring them to nearby services. Several patients from both Echuca and Moama were totally cut off from local services for a few days.
As conditions ease and roads begin to re-open, the community is slowly returning to normal. However, the rivers are still at flood level, the smell is horrendous, and the mosquitoes are relentless. The sight of a social worker arriving to work on her boat perfectly encapsulated the resourcefulness that is required for the community to continue in these times of adversity.
For further information, please contact:
Echuca Regional Health, Community Palliative Care
phone: 03 5485 5231