00:00We are expected to provide essential recovery services through unpaid labour,
00:04leading to burnout and inconsistent support.
00:08Often volunteers are survivors themselves.
00:11In the current environment, recovery depends on communities leading it.
00:16But we are doing so without sufficient support and resources.
00:20This must be addressed.
00:23Systems and funding must better support community-led recovery.
00:27This is for children, volunteers support frameworks and regional disaster plans
00:33that can activate people and assets quickly.
00:36As always, Heartwood Valley has responded with action.
00:42We've created a picture book for our children.
00:45It's called Heartwood Valley Mouse and it's being developed with the community.
00:50I have hoped to read this story for Heartwood's young inspired survivors
00:55to quietly speak about the small voices who aren't here today
01:00and won't be heard by this committee.
01:02But they are all bushfire survivors too.
01:07But the timing of Parliament would allow me to read this story
01:12and I've been restricted and I think it's very important that our children have a voice too.
01:20Because of that decision, I have been forced to choose between highlighting the needs for our children
01:26or fight for the urgent reforms that Heartwood needs in the recovery moving forward.
01:32So today I must do both by choosing to focus on much-needed structural reform.
01:38Thank you!
01:52I will see you again soon.
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