Southern Health nurse Jenny Blanch helped out bushfire victims in Kinglake when she was deployed in her role with the ADF as a senior nursing officer.
By Bridget Cook
A NURSE with Southern Health has returned from Kinglake after she was deployed twice into the bushfire-affected area and surrounding communities.
Jenny Blanch, also a senior nursing officer in the Army Reserve, was stationed at Kinglake, in the aftermath of the Black Saturday fires.
A site quality manager for the south-east sector of Southern Health, Mrs Blanch went to Kinglake on 15 February to assist the community through the defence and emergency services.
She also took her health team out to the nearby fire-ravaged town of Flowerdale.
“We went around door-knocking to check on people’s general health and how they were going emotionally,” she said.
Just days after being sent home, Mrs Blanch was asked to return to Kinglake when it was re-opened to residents and the army was brought back in.
“Wherever there is army personnel, medical staff is required,” she said.
Mrs Blanch said the experience was gratifying because it was her first operational experience with the Army Reserve.
“This is what we are trained for, to help out Australians in times of such need,” she said.
Mrs Blanch said she was amazed at how well the emergency services worked together and how the community bonded together.
“The camaraderie between everyone was truly amazing,” she said.
