On the front line: Campbell Sinclair

"Eight months on from the bushfires, people are feeling exhausted and that and there’s been no time to recharge our batteries,” says Campbell Sinclair, a psychologist with over 30 years experience.

In the wake of last summer's bushfires, Campbell knew his professional expertise and local knowledge could be combined to support the Far East Gippsland community of Buchan.

"I've done a lot of work up in Buchan on my friend Andy's farm. I love the bush and before COVID-19 I would go out to the bush quite often," says Campbell.

“In my career as a psychologist I’ve done a fair bit of work with people that have had trauma, so I felt I could make a difference."

Campbell joined the Bushfire Counselling and Support Service - a partnership with between Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) and the Flying Doctor.

This service provides mental health and wellbeing services to support individuals, families and emergency service workers affected by the East Gippsland bushfires. 

“When fires tore through the small town of Buchan, locals were devastated by the damage caused to homes, livestock and wildlife," says Campbell.

“Us men tend to bottle things up. We don’t tend to go and see somebody about our problems. To engage the farming community, you’ve got to earn their confidence."

“Having previously helped out with the fencing, I’ve got a bit of a reputation of going around and helping out."

Campbell knew that his support wouldn’t just be needed in the immediate aftermath of the bushfires, it would take time for the community to recover.

"After a huge fire like we saw, the community runs on adrenaline for a while, particularly the men. They need to get their fences fixed to get their stock back in. They need to get feed for the animals.

"Many local farmers were distressed about having to shoot some of their own animals that were suffering,” says Campbell.

"People start to think about what happened and what they’ve lost. For example, they go to get the screwdriver in the shed, and they don’t have a shed anymore.

Now, nearly eight months on, Campbell admires how the community has come together and is proud to be part of the support services there to help people dealing with the stressors of the bushfires, and now COVID-19.

“People can feel like the bushfires have been pushed to the back of people’s minds and COVID-19 is the only thing we’re all talking about. But people are still dealing with the effects of the bushfires, as well as the isolation that comes with COVID-19."

“Despite that, people are looking after each other and there’s been some wonderful stories of people helping out – just dropping some eggs off on the doorstep, or some potatoes or beans – just that little message that lets others know ‘we’re thinking of you’”.

In spite of everything they’re going through, Campbell has a strong belief in the people of Buchan; “I think they’re very resilient and they will bounce back. But it’s going to be a long journey.”

For anyone having a tough time, Campbell says, “There’s no shame in going to ask somebody for some help on a mental health problem. Put your hand up. Ask somebody.”

Together, we’ll help our neighbours rebuild.