Week 13: SWIFTS CREEK, VIC - ‘WITH HOPE COMES NEW BEGINNINGS'

The tiny town of Swifts Creek is blessed with its own real-life guardian angel

- Lizzie Wilson

With a population of just 300 people, the tight-knit community of Swifts Creek in Victoria’s beautiful East Gippsland is determined to rebuild and look after each other in the true spirit of Aussie mateship.

And there is no better mate in these tough times than Reverend Rowena Harris, a real-life guardian angel, who selflessly dedicates her life to helping others.

As bush chaplain for the High Country district, she oozes so much kindness it’s hard to imagine anyone with a bigger heart or a more welcoming smile.

When bushfires tore through her region earlier this year, Rowena, 58, was one of the first in the frontline to help devastated families who lost everything.

“It’s my calling in life to be there from the get-go when disaster and tragedy strikes,” she tells Woman’s Day from her home in regional Victoria.

“We’re a small community like many others across Australia who got hit hard by the drought, and then came the terrible bushfires – goodness me, even my faith was tested!”