‘Harrowing’: trauma caused by Morwell coalmine fire set high school students back 18 months

Findings of study show importance of educational and emotional support for children after disaster events, researchers say

• Sign up for the Rural Network email newsletter
• Join the Rural Network group on Facebook to be part of the community

The Morwell coalmine fire in Victoria set high school students back more than 18 months academically, according to a new study.

The analysis of the Monash Rural Health Study led by Dr Emily Berger, published in the Trauma Psychology journal in December 2021, found that the 2014 fire led to an 18.5-month delay in the academic progress of secondary school students.

Sign up to receive Guardian Australia's fortnightly Rural Network email newsletter