The National Association for Loss and Grieving [NALAG] is currently touring Far Northwestern NSW with “The Dry Run” Tour entitled “How Change ready are we?”

Through a series of events, NALAG is engaging with communities in Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Mt. Hope, Louth, Lightening Ridge, Walgett and Carinda where the organisation hopes to provide skills for drought preparedness.

The team have created space for conversations that matter, by sharing stories, exchanging practical strategies and reminding attendees that nobody needs face drought or any adversity alone.

NALAG is renowned for its care for community providing loss, grief and trauma support, training and education across Australia for the last 48 years, and the “Dry Run” tour comes with a simple but powerful message.

“In rural communities, strong social ties are one of the most effective defences against the weight of adversity. Connection helps people feel less alone, draws on the knowledge already held in lived experience, while boosting coping capacity and supporting faster recovery when hardship hits.”

In partnership with local community communities and services the “Dry Run” provides community assistance, access to mental health support information, as well as practical tools to prepare physically, socially and mentally for life events.

Jen Cowley talking with Jodie Watts President of the Walgett Rugby Club [IMAGE: NALAG]

NALAG Dubbo CEO Trudy Hanson OAM is on the road and said it has been fantastic to connect with everyone.

“We have been to Lightning Ridge, Walgett and Carinda so far and have had great roll ups. The Rugby Club looked after us in Walgett, the SES hosted us in Lightning Ridge and Carinda Pub welcomed us for our visit,” said Ms Hanson.

“Our aim is to connect and to have conversations, with each other and with others from within the community.

“It is not just when its drought, there are lots of things that are affecting communities now. floods, fires, environment situations. Even just the disconnect in isolated places, that hopefully we can help with.

“We are finding the face-to-face approach is working well and people are opening up to us, which is exactly what we hoped would happen, so we are looking forward to the rest of the tour,” she said.

Dubbo’s Jen Cowley, Project Manager for the tour, is recording a series of conversations as they travel along chatting with locals about their stories.

Peter and Maz Saunders hosted NALAG at Carinda Pub. [IMAGE: WPA]

“Not all the conversations are specifically about preparedness for drought, we are focusing more on change and how communities are always stronger together, and how a strong fabric of community can help individuals and the community as a whole to be more ready to navigate adversity whenever it comes and it does,” said Ms Cowley.

“I have a long history of telling other people’s stories, I love to get out and about into small communities, and everybody who knows me knows it’s my happy place and talking to people about their experiences of being part of community and why strong communities are so important for us all, is really what it is all about.

“We hope that these recording give the project a bit more longevity and people hearing voices from their own communities is always very powerful.

“We are keen to get people to focus on what they do have and not what they don’t have, and we really want to get this message out for “Dry Run”, we have the strength we just need to draw on it in our respective communities,” said Ms Cowley.

“We had a wonderful evening at the Carinda Hotel with the NALAG team bringing the community together for honest chats, laughter, and learning,” said Publican Peter Saunders.

“We’re so grateful to have hosted such an important gathering that left everyone with a little more connection and a lot more strength.

“Huge thanks to the NALAG crew for the incredible work you do and the heart you bring to every town you visit.

“Here’s to looking out for one another and keeping the conversations going that’s how small towns stay strong,” said Mr Saunders.

The Tour continues to Bourke 16th October, Brewarrina Friday 17th, Cobar Tuesday 21st October.