In 2013 and 2014 Dr Moreton visited the Lockyer Valley as part of her PhD research.  The first visit was to find out if members of the local community would be interested in participating in the research.  As the first community to be approached, and one where lives had been lost, their participation was by no means certain.  The community readily agreed and was positive about the opportunity to share their experience.  The second visit was to conduct interviews and explore the valley – to find out what happened there and how community recovery was progressing.

 

This community was the first to participate in Dr Moreton’s research.  She then continued and visited the communities of Coonabarabran (NSW), Dunalley (Was) and the Cassowary Coast (Qld).

Dr Moreton was delighted to be interviewed by The Gatton Star, and to publicly thank those community members who participated in interviews and contributed to the findings of her research.  Their stories of courage and perseverance informed the findings about how community resilience is demonstrated ‘on the ground’ and clearly demonstrated the part that courage, compassion, and community leadership play in recovery after natural disaster.

The full article can be read here.