Here to help- Bec enjoys giving time to listen to bushfire survivors. 68198

By Laura Wakely
BEC Nicoll knew about the challenges of recovery after working in areas like Healesville and Flowerdale after the 2009 bushfires.
But she also knew there were rewards that came with getting a community back on its feet.
It was for these reasons that Bec signed up to become one of three community engagement co-ordinators in the new Fire Recovery Unit.
Bec’s coverage area includes Whittlesea, Yarra Ranges, Nillumbik, the Grampians, Loddon-Mallee, Mt Alexander, Hepburn, Horsham, Corangamite and Greater Bendigo.
It’s a large area, but Bec said it hadn’t taken her long to find her way around.
“I’ve lived in the country for 20 years, so I’m familiar with rural communities,” Bec said.
“I really enjoy being out in the car and getting to know the lie of the land.”
“But I’m always asking advice from people to get from one area to the next in the shortest possible time.”
Time is something Bec seems short on, with up to four days of the week spent on the roads, like a “mobile office”, but she said she would always be available to give time to bushfire survivors.
“For the most part, people find their way to the sort of support services they need,” Bec said.
“But sometimes if people are getting frustrated looking, or they’re not getting the support they need, they can contact me.”
The role is all about networking and connecting information with organisations and people going through recovery.
“The first month has been very busy, there’s been a lot of getting to know who’s working and what the continuing recovery views are,” Bec said.
“We’ve also been quite busy in working with Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund and consulting the community on their medium to long-term recovery needs.
“The main thing is to let people know that even though VBRRA has finished, the FRU has an ongoing interest in the recovery of communities and will have for a long time.”
To find out more about the Fire Recovery Unit or to contact Bec visit www.rdv.vic.gov.au or email fire.recovery@rdv.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.