We have a Plan

The next few days are looking hot, hot, hot – but we have a plan.  This time last year a group of local volunteers came to Clunes Neighbourhood House with the idea of opening a Cool Room on hot days.  Using the last few days of summer to trial the idea, the team realised that heatwaves posed greater risks to people’s health than single hot days.  Making a few tweaks to their plans (with the help of Hepburn Shire Council and the Grampians Health Public Health Unit), the Clunes Cool Room was then launched, ready for action this summer if a heatwave was declared. 

This afternoon, Vic Emergency issued an Advice to Prepare Now for a heatwave.  For those of you with the Vic Emergency app on your phone, and the heat health filter selected, you would’ve received the alert.  Throughout Central Victoria (and indeed – many other areas in Victoria) we are going to experience hotter than average temperatures for at least three consecutive days.  The cumulative impact of hot days means your body doesn’t get a chance to cool down, increasing the risks of heat stress.  Not everyone can get relief from the heat at home, so in Clunes we’ll be opening the former Senior Citizens’ building at 25 Fraser Street, between 6pm – 9pm this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to give people a chance to relax in airconditioning.

We’ll be providing a light supper, as well as the opportunity for a bit of friendly entertainment including the Cricket and on Friday night, board and card games with the Gaming Society.

So if you are feeling hot, need some time out of the house while the heat is a little less taxing, or are just plain going a bit stir crazy, why not pop into the Clunes Cool Room during this heatwave?  Even better, combine the Cool Room with a dip first at the Clunes Pool?  Hepburn Shire are opening extended hours to help people stay cool during declared heatwaves, so that’ll be a guaranteed way to get your temperature down!

Note: Heat and fire (unfortunately) can come hand in hand. If a Catastrophic Fire Danger Day is declared, volunteers won't open the Cool Room because we want people to be close to home or able to evacuate.