As a supporter and photography contributor of my local
Ferntree Gully News for more than ten years I would like to share this.
From the editor
Love in a time of corona virus
One aim of Ferntree Gully News is to celebrate the
good news of people and groups in Ferntree Gully – from the Mountain Gate up
into the Dandenong Ranges.
We thought this issue was to be a celebration of community
events over the summer and a packed list of What’s On this autumn.
How wrong we were.
Not wrong to celebrate the summer festivals, though now they
seem like a precious dream. And beautiful spaces sit empty under the autumn
sun.
Ferntree
Gully News was launched in September
2009 soon after the Black Saturday bush fires. In the editorial of issue No.1
we said
‘Those who deal with international disasters report that
places with strong community links survive better in an emergency than those
without such links. An important element in strengthening a community is a
volunteer newspaper where people can share the good news stories and initiatives
that make Ferntree Gully a safe and beautiful place be.‘
Now, as pandemic looms, no longer so safe. Instead this is
the time to draw on our deepest community resources, our connections and
concerns for each other. Although the doors to community premises are closed
and public gatherings to be avoided, we can still think about those around us
and use imagination to offer support and encouragement.
So far at least we still have the chance to walk, to hear
birdsong and to see the clash of myriad colours as the singers dart amongst the
trees.
Community contacts are listed on page 23. Websites and facebook pages of groups and businesses will keep us updated. Where possible we ask you to support our advertisers through this difficult time.
