The Floods of 2011 & 2022 : Understanding Traumatic Grief Artwork

LIFE AFTER LOSS

Series 1 explores the unique grief and loss experiences of people impacted by natural disasters, and how they rediscovered life after loss. Each episode is released to mark the Anniversary of one of Australia’s most significant natural disasters. As a testament to the extraordinary nature of Australians living so-called ordinary lives, we witness personal grief and loss stories that are often harrowing, fascinating, funny, devastating, maddening and inspirational all at the same time. The series also features some of the world’s most respected experts in grief and loss whose illuminating insights, evidence-based guidance and occasional a-ha moments helps make sense of, and normalise grief in all its forms. Life After Loss is designed to help de-stigmatise grief and demonstrate that through connection, compassion and the sharing of lived experience, many of us can find a way to adapt to loss and start living again.

All Episodes

LIFE AFTER LOSS

The Floods of 2011 & 2022 : Understanding Traumatic Grief

May 10, 2022 • Amanda Peppard and Louisa Smith • Season 1 • Episode 2

Released to witness the loss and grief of those affected by floods, with a focus on the 2011 Queensland floods, and the 2022 NSW and Queensland floods. In 2011 Queensland was hit by floods that left 97 communities flooded or isolated and cost 36 people their lives. 2.5 million people were impacted with damages costing more than $5 billion dollars. It was said to be a 1 in 100 year flood but in 2022 it happened all over again when record rains and flooding smashed communities in Queensland and NSW. Insurance claims amount to $2.3 billion dollars (May 2022), there are reports of 23 people lost and around 30,000 homes and businesses flooded, at least once, if not twice or three times over.

Our candid conversation with multiple flood survivor Linda Godley, explores the experience of traumatic grief and re-traumatisation. While our in-depth interview with revered grief and loss academic Dr Robert A. Neimeyer, PhD, examines the possibility of tragedy and transformation going hand in hand.

Dr Neimeyer has published more than 30 books and currently directs the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition, while his theories on meaning reconstruction and continuing bonds have partly informed the Griefline approach to grief adaptation. With his profound understanding and experience of grief, Robert provides us with an illuminative explanation of traumatic grief, including the connection between grief and trauma, how anger plays a part in our grief response, coping with re-traumatisation and the purpose of meaning reconstruction. His suggestions for extricating ourselves from 'sticky grief' include mindfulness and rituals.

Linda Godley is an everyday Aussie who adores and fiercely protects her family. A dressmaker and proud matriarch of three adult children and two grand-children, she lives in Grantham, Queensland, a town that has been decimated by multiple floods. Their first experience was on the afternoon of 10 January 2011, when a deadly torrent ravaged the town, tragically killing 13 community members. Like so many other residents, the Godley family lost all their possessions and experienced traumatic grief, particularly Linda’s daughter Katherine, who at only 14 years old, witnessed the drowning of 3 community members and her beloved horses. Only 11 years later the town was wiped out all over again, leaving the family re-traumatised and fearful this could happen yet again. Though the foundations of Linda’s life have been rocked, and her sense of hope shaken to the core, her fighting spirit shines through in this raw and very real interview.

Thanks to

Linda & Katherine Godley
Facebook @lindagodley

Robert A. Neimeyer, PhD
www.portlandinstitute.org
Facebook @PortlandInstitute / Twitter @PortlandLoss
New Techniques of Grief Therapy (Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement), 2021
Death studies through Taylor & Francis

Amanda Gearing, Author & Interviewer of Katherine Godley, 2011
The Torrent: A true story of heroism and survival, 2nd edition. (2017, January 29). UQP. https://www.uqp.com.au/books/the-torrent-a-true-story-of-heroism-and-survival-2nd-edition

Co-Hosts - Louisa Smith and Amanda Peppard
Audio Engineer - Daryl Missen, Purple Wax www.purplewax.com.au
Original Music - Tilly Vickers-Willis, https://soundcloud.com/tillyvw
Creative Producer - Amanda Peppard