The Climate Eyes project is calling out for Wimmera residents to recount their stories of climate, as well as any official reports or recollections from times of drought, fire or flood to form an archive of information to share with researchers.

The project will also create a Little Green Book on changing with the climate which will highlight lessons, tips and ideas for surviving through extreme climatic times.

The Wimmera Development Association-lead project has support from Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, Federation University Australia, Wimmera Primary Care Partnership, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

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Wimmera Development Association executive director Chris Sounness said all Wimmera Southern Mallee residents had rich stories to tell about drought, flood, fire, frost and even plagues - especially from the decade when the region ran within a whisker of going dry in the Millennium Drought.

"The classic drought story was the hairdressers who sought lessons in how to listen to and refer distressed clients for support - this marked a turning point in the regional understanding and accepting the reality of mental illness," he said.

The hairdresser in question, Robyn Kelm, said she did not set out to get involved in mental health advocacy, but identified a need.

"I saw what people were like when they came in and I knew we needed to do something," she said.

Mr Sounness said there were other practical innovations

"We recycled household water from washing machines and baths to continue producing vegetables and learned the value of shade," he said.

He said the difficulties enduring a protracted drought stretched through every aspect of life.

"There was also discovery of injuries that came with carting heavy buckets or playing sport on hard footy fields - all things we can share with other communities who have not faced such water shortages," Mr Sounness said.

Participants have a chance to share their thoughts in a survey which is open to all residents via https://wda.surveysparrow.com/s/living-and-learning-in-drought/tt-69d05e.

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