The creation of a picture book as a way of helping children express themselves after the tragic March 2018 bushfire has been acknowledged on a national level.
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Tathra Public School received a highly commended recognition award at the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience's Resilient Australia Awards at the Adelaide Convention Centre on November 7, for their published book When the Fire Met the Sea.
"It was great to see tiny people from a tiny town recognised in a national way," the school's principal Lisa Freedman said.
"We are a little, tiny place and there were some big projects going on around Australia in lots of different communities."
Ms Freedman travelled with pupil and illustrator of the book's cover Maya-Rae Navarrete, who lost her family home in the bushfire, to Adelaide to receive the award.
"It was exciting for Maya-Rae to have the book recognised, and we had a special mention about art and writing helping with resilience," Ms Freedman said.
"We write and draw about our feelings, and it helps.
"The book is long lasting, and we will make more because it is so beneficial for the kids."
In September, the school took first place, alongside the Tathra and Region Chamber of Commerce, in the NSW Resilient Australia Awards in Sydney.
The institute's executive director Amanda Leck said she was impressed by the quality of entries in this year's 20th anniversary awards.
"Each of the winners and finalist projects demonstrate just how effective collaborative efforts can be with increasing community safety and resilience," Ms Leck said.
"We hope these projects inspire others to work together to help build greater disaster resilience in their communities."
Victoria's Strathewen Primary School were this year's Resilient Australia National School Award winners for its A Walk Through Strathewen's Fire History program, which also involved the local fire brigade, and aimed at educating and empowering students following the Black Saturday bushfires.
"It's a good model for us to look at because we're looking to work with the Rural Fire Service on preparedness programs and work with the community," Ms Freedman said.
"It's good for us to learn from other schools.
"The department has learnt from the Tathra fire and also from this week where 150 school closed. So that's the plan now."