Thank you from the Moreno Psychodrama Society and PIM

[Sue Daniel]

Dear Colleagues

Thank you for thinking of us at the time of these enormous bush fire  
tornados in the outer regions of Melbourne Australia.  Many of you  
sent me emails and they have been much appreciated.

At the present time, I can say that all members of the Moreno  
Psychodrama Society and the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne (PIM)  
are safe.  One of our families, who live in Strathewen survived an  
horrendous event, even saving their house.  The children were  
evacuated however our colleague and her husband stayed and fought the  
fire.  They have property and animal damage. Another couple and their  
grown up children and grandchildren are also safe; Some of you know  
Linda Harrington and her husband Bob Cummings.  They live in Yarck.   
Both Linda and Bob are members of the bush firefighters (CFA) and have  
been, and still are valiantly fighting the fires and assisting the  
people of Marysville and other townships struck down by the tornedo of  
fire.  We are so grateful they are alive.  Other members' family  
members have lost property, some, all that they have - apart from each  
other which is a blessing for sure.

We have all been touched by these fires.  Everyday, I hear from people  
who have experienced a death of either a friend, friend of friend, or  
a colleague, and once, of almost all of the person's social and  
cultural atom, apart from their family.  I feel immeasurably sad.  I  
feel uplifted too, to hear the stories of people, the 24/7 support of  
the media, particularly those radio stations that continually  
broadcast from the ground zero of the fires, as this helps my grief.   
I feel with my neighbours.  I can embrace them with my heart and mind,  
having them in heart and mind.  I am glad to hear of a little koala  
drinking from a water bottle, a little pony arriving, and that water  
and hay are available for him.  I am glad to hear of people wanting  
tools to start working again and temporary fencing.  I am glad to hear  
from Margaret, and to hear Bob and Linda's voices.

On Sunday, 22 February from 6 - 8 p.m the first Theatre of Spontaneity  
for 2009 takes place at our Melbourne Institute.  The evening is  
dedicated to the community in response to the tragedy brought about by  
the fires that razed communities last weekend and took lives.  It is a  
place to bring forward stories, to grieve and to celebrate life.  This  
evening provides an opportunity to say goodbye, to bring forward  
questions, to put words and actions to feelings within the embrace of  
our psychodrama community.

With thanks,

Sue Daniel

Director
Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne
pim at netspace.net.au