Diverting her attention to the community became a way of coping for Bec McGuire, who lost everything but the shed she and her partner live in at Wyndham.
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During the fires, like others, they were evacuated several times, and like others it was an opportunity to meet people they hadn't before.
When the fires hit it was devastating not only for Bec, who lost her animals, orchards and outbuildings, but also for those who lost homes. She said eight homes were lost, which included some in the Mt Darragh area.
However, it seems helping others comes naturally for the trained herbalist, as she started to set up a community space.
A friend was selling a big tent and despite the cost of $1500 Bec decided she would buy it. World on Wheels later reimbursed her the money and St George Bank gave towards cushions and seating.
The tent was set up on the sports ground and nearby a washing machine, dryer, shower and toilet were available for those who needed them.
Doss O'Sullivan, who became a touchstone for the Wyndham community, bought a washing machine and dryer which was later reimbursed by Sapphire Life Opportunities.
"Sharon Tapscott was very supportive of what we were doing and the Sapphire Community Pantry brought in fresh food. The pantry was a real help, they never faltered and just kept coming back and Christine Welsh was amazing," Bec said.
With some of the community's basic needs attended to, Bec and Doss turned their attention of having regular gatherings on Friday evenings, a chance for music, talk and community healing.
Things were good until April and COVID shut down activities like Fab Fridays and meditation sessions by Michelle Cornish, although she is running them on Zoom.
"We've been working hard to rebuild. We got some plants and had a day where people could start to replant their gardens if they wanted to. Helping people helps me. It feels like I'm meant to be helping people and it's helping me recover," Bec said.
Needless to say, it has still been a difficult journey.
Bec lost her precious orchards and plants. She's a trained herbalist and was growing a lot of her own herbs. She says she will do again one day.
But in the meantime she has been applying for a business grant.
She said she has been backwards and forwards for nine months trying to secure some disaster relief funding while being asked to supply figures in various formats. Bec said city-based government organisations don't seem to realise that getting three quotes for every aspect of the work just isn't viable in the regions.
"After this long I'm done, I'm over it. Lots of people have applied but are giving up because it's so hard. Who wants to go through this process? I can't deal with this anymore," Bec said.
In the meantime Bec has made the decision to return to education. She has a degree in environmental science and is now studying for her masters in teaching. It will take a couple of years but she has plans to be an educator in environmental science and hopes to get kids out in the bush to learn more.