We welcome back Patrick O'Gorman to the podcast. This is a very moving and personal episode, as Patrick reveals his own story regarding the Black Saturday Bushfires.

This was one of the worst bushfires in Australia’s history, where on Saturday, the 7th of February, 2009 - this fire destroyed 450,000 hectares of land, injured 414 humans and over 1 million animals were lost. The most horrendous part was that 173 people were killed, three of those being Patrick’s mother, father and younger brother. In the matter of minutes, the lives of Patrick and his twin sister would never be the same.

Patrick discusses that one dark Saturday in February including the aftermath and attempt to return to normal life. His talks about emotional shock, trauma, adversity and what lessons he has learnt from that dreadful day twelve years on.

Links regarding the Black Saturday Bushfire:

National Museum of Australia - https://nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires

2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report -http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Commission-Reports/Final-Report.html

ABC Australian Story Episode involving Patrick and Bronwyn O'Gorman - https://www.abc.net.au/austory/her-beauty-and-her-terror/9172800

Patrick's 'Magic Mountain' Camp Site at his Humevale Property - https://www.hipcamp.com/victoria/magic-mountain/magic-mountain


If anyone needs help regarding their mental health and needs someone to talk to please seek advice via:
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
https://mensline.org.au/