Elizabeth Mellor

The author of Bushfire, Elizabeth Mellor, has had firsthand experience of the terror and trauma of bushfire. In 2002 she spent thirteen hours alone at her home near Seymour, Victoria during which a firestorm raged up to the walls of the house. The Black Saturday bushfires in 2009 triggered memories of her experience, which partly prompted her to write this book. Her background as a social worker and counsellor, combined with her personal experience, made her aware of the need to address some of the emotional issues faced by children who have been, either directly or indirectly, impacted by the horrors of bushfire.

As Elizabeth explains, “Following the 2009 fires, I heard many terrible stories as well as stories of great warmth and courage. After my own experience, I had often thought about the impact of fires on children and teenagers and wished there were ways I could contribute to their healing. I really wanted a way to do this that did not overwhelm them, whilst showing that it is necessary to face trauma so that they can move forward. The characters in Bushfire do this. They face just what they need to and reach resolution and peace.”

To assist parents wishing to address issues raised in Bushfire, Elizabeth has used her skills as a writer and social worker to create a Parents’ Resource Book, downloadable free of charge from the book website www.bushfirebook.com.au.

Elizabeth is a qualified social worker and counsellor with over thirty years experience in helping highly traumatised people, providing various forms of parent education, training those working with children and facilitating family therapy. She is an author of many books including:

• Oscar’s Way, 2005 (fiction)

• Parent Craft, Teen Stages, Easy Parenting and The Happy Family (non-fiction, co-authored with husband Ken Mellor, published by Finch Publishing).

Elizabeth lives on a property near Seymour, Victoria with Ken, her dogs and many native animals. This is the base for the Awakening Network Inc., a non-profit incorporated organisation founded in 1984 by Ken and Elizabeth, which teaches simple, everyday techniques and meditations that enable people to enrich and simplify their lives. Elizabeth is committed to helping others live as well and happily as possible and has taught in many parts of the world.

She is also a painter, and she loves reading, gardening and cooking tasty vegetarian food for friends and family.

Elizabeth is available for workshops, presentations and speaking engagements and can be contacted via www.bushfirebook.com.au.