Case studies
Australia, Black Saturday Victorian Bushfires, Recovery, Bushfire, Rural and Regional, Community

The Letterbox Project

Strathewen 2009 Bushfire Recovery

The Letterbox Project started in May 2009, three months after the Black Saturday bushfires when local resident, Marion Oakley, formed a local group to create 60 mosaic letterboxes for community members rebuilding their homes, as a welcome back to the community.

The working group met weekly, drawing comfort from being with each other and providing time for connection an healing. The letterboxes represent hope, renewal and the strength to come back from adversity.

Letters were exchanged in the community through the letterboxes which gives a private and intimate connection to the maker of the letterbox and place for healing.

The official unveiling of the letterboxes was on Saturday August 14th 2010 at Bridges Restaurant in Hurstbridge, Victoria.

Big Stories, Small Towns Short Documentary:

The Letterbox Project

NSF Consulting Interview with Marion Oakley:

Location: Strathewen, Shire of Nillumbik, Victoria, Australia

Funding Body: Regional Arts Victoria – Arts Recovery Quick Response Grant

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