Rising from the Ashes, a Storytelling and Healing Space designed to help the community to recover and to heal following the summer bushfires, will open in Milton on Saturday.

People can share their stories, verbally or creatively through writing and other free art- based workshops, including, photography, pottery, mosaics, music or even cupcake decorating at the healing space in Wason Street Milton over the next 12 months.

Project manager Vivienne Benson-Hodge says trauma can shatter our sense of security, our attachment to others and can disconnect our feeling of hope in the world.

“Telling our stories in our own way, in our own time, revisiting the sights, sounds and memories of our trauma can help us reclaim our lost selves,” she said.

“Some people have already started sharing their stories with us and are keen to book in for a workshop.

“We have been greatly supported by other health and wellbeing practitioners, already working in a similar vein with people, who have been feeling the aftermath affects of the bushfires or feeling isolated by the effects of Covid 19.

“We are keen to hear from other local artists, who may be able to offer a workshop in their area of expertise.”

Vivienne says all in the area are invited to this space, by either engaging in the storytelling as participants, or by artists creating in any medium or craft, offering to conduct a workshop.

Workshops are free to participants and we will fund the cost of required materials as necessary.

Some of the early workshops commencing in November/December that will be advertised on the group’s Facebook page include: Cupcake decorating for Christmas for adults and children’s craft sessions, by Trish Tompkin and Gentle Movement Dancing plus African Drumming by Desire, Layered drawing using charcoal and Ink by local artist, Julie Sydenham.

Workshops and items of interest will soon be also available on the website www.shoalhavenrisingfromtheashes.com

Photo Katrina Condie

The glorious 190-year-old fig tree has always been the feature of Milton’s Mick Ryan Park, but now visitors can also test their climbing skills on a brand new playground.

The $130,000 playground was officially opened by Mayor Amanda Findley today, with some local children helping to cut the ribbon.

The equipment sits alongside the historic tree, manicured gardens, a toddler bike track and barbecue area which is popular with local families.

“In the modern play space we have here, there’s still that hark to nature - we’ve got a wonderful climbing tree, we’ve got a wonderful garden where the kids can play hide-and-seek, and then they can come back to this modern creation and play here,” Cr Findley said.

“It’s a stunning location and a must-do rest stop on the Princes Highway at Milton.”

Cr Findley said her children loved the park growing up, and she hopes the children of today and future generations will also enjoy the facility overlooking Milton farmland and beyond to the Budawang Ranges and Didthul.

“Parks are where memories are made, where we get cuts on our chins and scars for life.

“Parks are for making friends, building resilience and having a mighty fine time.”

After cutting the ribbon, Cr Findley - complete with her Christmas-y reindeer antlers - joined the kids on the playground and even tested out the tunnel slide, much to the delight of onlookers.

Children can now enjoy a basket swing, spinner, climbing cube and see saw as well as climbing wall, tunnel slide and climbing webs.

The new playground also has a shade sail which means both the playground and the tree can be enjoyed in the warmer months of the year. 

Council purchased Mick Ryan Park in the 1960s from dairy farmer Mick Ryan in order to preserve the fig tree and ensure a parcel of grassed land would be kept for future generations to enjoy.

"It is great to see nearly six decades on, residents and visitors have a wonderful precinct for families to spend the day or even a weekend,” Cr Findley said. 

The park is one of a series of playgrounds throughout the Shoalhaven that have been upgraded and opened in time for Christmas.

“The Shoalhaven’s locations for their parks are exquisite beyond belief,” Cr Findley said.

“And we have three more in the planning.”

Cr Findley said she will look into giving the amenities block a face-lift – perhaps a mural and a fresh coat of paint, as well as installing a water fountain in the park.

Photos Katrina Condie

 

There were some very brave vets and nurses in Milton on Tuesday, who had to wrangle an injured and cranky wild diamond python brought into the Milton Village Vet clinic by national parks and wildlife rangers.

Dr Caitlin McFaddon says the male snake had a large gash on his side which was stitched up by her team.

A bulge in the snake’s belly indicated he had a fresh rabbit for breakfast!

Photos Milton Village Vet.

Strong winds have caused a grass fire emergency at Yatte Yattah.

Four fire units from the Milton and Conjola Rural Fire Service were called to Pointer Road at about 3.30 pm yesterday afternoon.

An RFS spokesperson said the blaze was sparked when power lines touched after being blown by strong winds.

A 20 square metre area of grass was scorched, with RFS crews quickly bringing the fire under control.

An Essential Energy crew was also on the scene to ensure the safety of the RFS crews before the power supply was restored.

Image: Milton RFS Facebook