The Forged by Fire Festival was not the ‘usual’ Bushfire recovery or resilience event. Instead of focusing on consequences of fire, the Lithgow City Council event focused on human relationships with fire. Tracie McMahon ran a storytelling booth at the event, asking what does ‘Forged by Fire’ mean to you? The answers were surprising, uplifting and sobering. (NB. This story contains images that some readers may find distressing.)
Key Points:
Fire is an integral part of human existence, but everyone’s experience is unique.
Storytelling is a tool which can be used to share knowledge as well as learn and better understand our own relationship with fire.
Community events such as Forged by Fire enable the sharing of knowledge and experiences, exposing people to new ideas and different perspectives.
When I was approached to participate, I was intrigued by the naming of the event and asked: “what do you mean by ‘Forged by Fire’?”
Verity Brookes, Lithgow City Council’s Community and Cultural Development Coordinator, explained, “We are looking at ways we master fire: like pottery, blacksmithing, cooking; and ways we live with and manage fire: such as Landcare, Rural Fire Services, and landscape adaptation. Fire is something that is part of our everyday lives, and we think it would be good to have an event with a broader focus.”
As we spoke, I realised that fire had become a bit of a ‘boogey man’ in my psyche. When I bushwalk and the wind picks up, I start checking the horizon for puffs of faraway smoke, fearful they will join me in my bush idyll. Perhaps it was time to reflect on what ‘forged by fire’ meant for me and to invite others to do the same. I suggested to Verity that we could have a story telling booth, where people could share their experiences.
At first, I had ideas of emulating Trent Dalton and sitting with a typewriter on a little desk. Perhaps this would be a bestseller, ‘Fire Stories’ instead of his ‘Love Stories’. But where would I find a functioning typewriter? I puzzled over what my novelty drawcard would be to ensure someone would visit the booth.
The day before the event, I attended Lithgow’s citizenship ceremony and listened as the Australia Day ambassador Bruno Efoti, founder of Tradies Insight, a mental health support service for tradies, told his story.
Bruno told a story of a head of Lifeline responding to his concerns that he had ‘not much’ to do all the things he wanted to do to help others. The mentor asked him to hold out his open hand and replied, “Seems to me you have everything you need.” Bruno went home, turned on his barbeque and opened his home. Soon a shed was required and over five thousand people had joined Bruno to chat. All that was needed was a space, and a willingness to listen.
So, I packed up the ‘stuff’ that feeds my own storytelling: pencils, paint, paper, books, a laptop and some example stories, and took it to the Foundations. Bruno’s mentor was right, the stories came thick and fast. We packed up by torchlight, as they switched the lights off to allow for the visual installation and music.
Following is an amalgam of the amazing stories shared at the Lithgow Area Local News story booth. Stories in word, voice, picture and anecdotes. Thank you to all who shared their stories and for agreeing to be part of this story.
What does ‘Forged by Fire’ mean to you?
Margaret Hart, sharing years of experience as a Rural Fire Service and Rescue Service volunteer.
Margaret Hart
“I feel like no one listens to local knowledge because we’re old. We need to share our knowledge and experience and we need to listen, not sensationalise it. When I see it on TV these days, it looks like chaos. When there is confidence, clear direction and knowledge, we can all work together, as one.”
Cass Coleman and Mark Macauley
Councillor Cass Coleman and Mark Macauley shared their experiences and how the Black Summer fires have forged their story.
The Kerr Family
The Kerr family were on the final leg of ‘the lap’ of Australia and would soon be returning to their home in the Northern Rivers. Lochlan declared this was his “favourite place” on the whole trip. They had been to the River Caves and Deep Pass and walking in the Grose Valley.
I asked about their experience with fire. The family of four discussed the slow creeping cultural burning fires they had driven through in Cape York and how different they seemed to the roaring bushfires TV screens had shown during Black Summer.
Lochlan’s picture story showed the charcoal landscape left behind in an unmanaged landscape. He wrote: “I painted this because bushfires happen everywhere. We can reduce that by controlled back burning and being prepared.”
Ruben told a story of bees that rush away in a fire to avoid the crackling flames. He said, “when the fire is over, the bees return and help stick the tree together, so the bees and the trees are saved.”
Lochlan (L) and Ruben (R) Kerr share their stories of their travels and thinking about fire.
Zayden Palmer
When I asked Zayden Palmer what he thought fire could be used for he was quick to point out that his favourite things, steam trains, relied on fire.
Zayden Palmer, adding the billowing smoke to his steam train story
Steam trains are an integral part of Lithgow’s history. The construction of the Zig Zag deviation created access to the Western Coalfields, and opportunities for the founders of Lithgow’s industrial past, including the Portland Cement Works, which occupied the building in which we were now sitting.
Kay Shirt
South Bowenfels resident, Kay Shirt, pops by to offer a different perspective.
“For forty years we have sat around bonfires with friends, drunk our wine and solved the problems of the world, sharing stories and laughing long and hard. The latest version of the bonfire is a repurposed satellite dish. Some of our ‘stay until the sun comes up’ people are gone, but always remembered as those friends forged by fire.”
Bonfires and friendships: the author’s own bonfire friendships in Little Hartley.
Ross Gurney
Ross Gurney, Director of Finance and Governance at Lithgow City Council, tells yet another story.
He writes: “My connection with the Lithgow community was very much forged by fire. I was the acting General Manager at the time of the 2019/20 Gospers Mountain Fire. In the days following, I organised a Mayoral tour of Clarence and Dargan and the damage was heartbreaking. We had community meetings, and both the Australian and Indonesian army joined our recovery team. Listening to the needs of the community and visiting affected community members in their homes is something I will never forget.”
The devastation in Dargan witnessed on the Mayoral Tour in December 2019 (Courtesy Ross Gurney).
As more children pop by, drawn to the colours, I am amazed by their response to the question of what do you think of fire? One asks for more green paint. She wants to paint the new trees.
Young eyes see and tell a story of the landscape recovering.
Mackenzie James with her before and after story: from flames to flannel flowers.
The James Family
Mackenzie James draws a story of the pink flowers that emerged after the fires. I suspect pink may be a favourite colour.
As the rest of David and Tess James’ brood of five busy themselves telling stories with watercolours and pencils, we chat about the adult experience and what ‘forged by fire’ might mean for them.
David says: “Check these out – it’s a hobby I started during Covid in 2020 after the fires. It’s one of my best sellers.” He shows me a handcrafted shaving brush with a resin handle. Flames leap from the base in molten red and orange.
Fire is a part of the everyday human experience, but that experience is not the same for everyone. For some, it comes with memories of trauma and loss, for others it is symbolic of change and creation. No one story is absolute. They are all our stories, worth telling, hearing and sharing.
Thanks to all those who dropped by the story booth to share their story and to help forge this story.
Take Action:
Reflect on your own experience with fire. It may surprise you.
Listen to another’s story. The Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative will be hosting In Time of Fire: a poetry performance by Harry Laing from the Southern Highlands. It will be followed by an opportunity to reflect on the experience of fire across the country. The event is free but bookings essential here
If you feel that you are experiencing discomfort or worry around fire, consider seeking professional advice: The team from Headspace Lithgow who were at the Forged by Fire event, offer support with these issues among others; Lifeline can also be contacted here
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Tracie lives, writes and walks on the unceded lands of the Dharug, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri people. Born in Lithgow, she and her family have spent most of their lives living and working with the people and places of the Lithgow area. Her passions are nature and community, which she pursues through story, art, and volunteering in Lithgow and the Blue Mountains.
The concept of planetary health is rapidly gaining attention globally, as the world increasingly confronts the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation, climate change, and public health crises. But what does the term 'planetary health' really mean, and why does it matter?
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