6 (L) Ryan Gittoes, Knoll Studio & (R) Blaize van Niekerk (GCPHN) Financial assistance from the Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) for residents affected by the destructive summer storms is not only helping to rebuild communities, but also making them stronger. The Reconnection for Resilience Community Grants Program provided 15 community grants of up to $5000 for local not-for-profit organisations, healthcare organisations, sporting clubs and primary care providers in the storm and flood hit areas. “While the property rebuilds continue, so are the psychological health recoveries of those residents directly affected by the storms,” GCPHN CEO Matt Carrodus said. “Through programs that foster ongoing resilience, we are helping to empower people with the resources and support necessary to complete their recovery journeys,” he said. Mr Carrodus said funded activities included programs aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing through support embedded in addressing social isolation, sport and exercise classes, art therapy, skills development initiatives, community BBQs and more. We highlight a couple amazing organisations that are cleverly using their grants funding to build better local communities: Men’s Social – The Knoll Studio, Tamborine Mountain Tamborine Mountain was arguably hardest hit by the Christmas night storm that came out of nowhere. We all saw the confronting images of houses unroofed, powerlines and trees down and of locals toiling alongside emergency services to restore some sort of order to their suddenly shattered lives. It’s a proud mountain community and, as the bricks and mortar rebuild continues, it’s also one still coming to grips with its collective mental health recovery. Cue the Men’s Social at The Knoll of emergency food and water supplies and toiletries and other essentials for people driven from their homes or those staying put to comprehend what had just happened amid prolonged power outages. But Jennifer said next time it will be different. “One of the things we realised is that we were sending people away with their emergency supplies in boxes and we thought that was undignified. So, we created Bags on the Go, with everything packed in a sturdy reusable suitcase that people can wheel out of our centre with pride. The bags are the packed with donated toiletries and essential disaster recovery items like battery powered radios, weatherproof document holders, towels and face washers, washing powder, coins for laundromats, deodorants and other hygiene products,” she said. The Studio Village Community Centre was established 30 years ago by the local community. It’s one of 140 Neighbourhood and Community Centres (NCC's) around Queensland responding to loneliness and social isolation. On a day-to-day basis it provides a community garden, day activities, bowls, craft classes, new parent support and playgroups, and plenty more. “Our clients are diverse and in the aftermath of the disaster we also welcomed everyone to explore our community wellbeing and mental health services,” Jennifer said. “At times of need we’re always there to provide physical and emotional support and Bags on the Go is just another innovative and locally tailored example of how we put grants monies like these to the very best use,” she said. Studio Village Community Centre has a range of activities and programs, with a friendly smile and helping hand. More details are available at https://studiovillage.com.au/ Reconnection for Resilience: Grants Deliver Late Christmas Cheer Studio at North Tamborine which was established with recovery grant funds to bring the men of the mountain together to heal. Founder, local muso Ryan Gittoes, said there was plenty of incentive to make it happen. “After the disaster, the mental health of a lot of local men was affected, which highlighted the undeniable importance of blokes who have shared an experience like this getting together socially,” Ryan said. “I knew of a couple of guys that had sadly ended their own lives and that was the catalyst for me to say: ‘OK we need to do something’. The idea was if we can create connections through social gatherings and support men who might be struggling, there would be immense power in that. And that’s exactly what we found by providing a supportive space for men to openly share their experiences and challenges without judgement,” he said. Ryan said the social nights, held inside a funkily renovated disused electricity substation at North Tamborine, can on any night can be about music, open mic standup comedy, food, ping pong, darts, chess and more. Our socials can be whatever they want to be and we’re getting about 50 men along each time, young, old and of all professions, persuasions, abilities and interests. There’s a real simplicity in the support structure that we’ve created, but there is so much power in it; it’s for a reason and that reason is recovery,” he said. The Men’s Socials are held every second Tuesday, details www. theknollstudio.com Bags on the Go - Studio Village Community Centre, Oxenford When the Christmas night storm hit Oxenford, the Community Development Manager of the Studio Village Community Centre Jennifer Schofield knew her holiday was over and there was hard work to be done. “We were badly hit, and I knew straight away an emergency community recovery was about to start because we’ve been here before with floods and fire and all manner of natural disasters,” she said. That recovery meant the distribution Jennifer Schofield ,Community Development Manager, Studio Village Community Centre
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