Key Learnings of Birchip Tour
(as scribbled by Jane as the WA Birchip Tour Group discussed their trip experience enroute back to Melbourne Airport)
After a long dry period it still knows how to rain……..60mls of rain fell whilst we were in Birchip 14-15th October 2010.
Whether you agree or not that Climate Change is happening, any ‘Drying Climate’ initiatives that are undertaken under the guise of climate change are beneficial to the environment and to social and financial wellbeing.
There has been a change in community and government’s perspective of the value of water.
The emotional impact of the extended dry period in north-western Victoria has been huge – it has affected whole communities, not just farmers and agri-businesses. There is value in implementing initiatives to support communities emotionally early – rather than delaying until quantitative evidence is collected
It was evident that considerable funding had been directed to drought-affected communities in north-east Victoria by State and Federal governments. How long did it take for this to happen?
We return home knowing more of agronomics, and we can talk about the soil types and crops of the Southern Mallee, but we also take home much more….an incite into human resilience, drought impacts on communities…
There is greater trust between people who have experienced and survived tough times together. Community rapport and support was also evident.- Some of the conversations we’ve had during recent weeks at home as the implications of the very dry season were being realised, will be reassessed and seen in a different light. We will be more receptive to underlying messages and stress indicators.
Droughts do make the social fabric stronger but before that occurs there seems to be stage of pain and stress. By knowing it is a staged experience, how can we move to put positive strategies in place more quickly and reduce or prevent the difficult stage?
Within families it is really important to know if you are genetically inclined to have mental illnesses – if you know, then things can be different. Family members can be treated differently, and we can prevent serious mental illness and suicides.- Mental Health First-aid courses are a useful initiative to encourage in our towns. Mentoring is valuable in supporting people in community leadership.
Wheatbelt NRM projects need to shift their focus – possibly support stock management initiatives to reduce wind erosion and more efficient water management - eg feedlots. - Despite the climatic conditions letting them down, people maintained their environmental work, undertaking projects like the bio diversity ponds for the betterment of the environmental; big picture.
The decision by State government to shut down the water channels and convert water supply to pipelines, caused whole of community concern in terms of the risk to native birds and wildlife. It brought about positive community action and has lead to improved water efficiencies too.
Out of adversity comes opportunity – diversification into hay, duck sheds, sheep feedlots.- Local education is positively valued in Birchip - parents very supportive and happy with standard of local education.
Dry seasons have led to a slow down in young people going home to the farm, and some moves to encourage kids to gain a trade for alternative income back up.- A proactive leadership group, like BCG (Birchip Cropping Group) can bring immense benefits to a district;
Brings intellect into town. Having a Thinker in Residence is really reaching for new opportunities and mindset change
Brings young qualified people to town and expands the social diversity
Acts as a community resource – increased grant acquisition
Increase community profile – publicity and agricultural tourism
Provides local employment opportunities
Proactively recognises the role of women in agriculture- The Yield Profit program is now increasingly implemented - using long term rainfall records to determine probability of a crop and the potential yield and profit for specific farms and paddocks.
The BCG kept being curious, and kept seeking new knowledge despite the tough environment – sooner or later all this expertise and on-going learning will reap rewards.
The Buloke Shire circulated a “Tool Kit for Getting Through Drought” – Rural People are known for their resilience but drought can really put this to the test”- Lifeline Just Ask – 1300 131114
The Shire made swimming pool admission free!
The Council Plan 2009-2013, October 2010 edition had some significant quotes;
“The Buloke community has experienced very difficult times at various intervals in its history and come through them stronger and more resilient than it was before.”
None of us can create significant impact on our own: our potential is greatest when we work together.”
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