There is converging evidence that massive disasters contribute to impaired mental health and social disruption. However, our current knowledge base is very limited firstly by the focus of research to date either on the mental health functioning of individuals or community impacts. There is increasing recognition that optimal adaptation after large-scale disasters requires the integration of these factors because of the close interplay between social cohesion and community functioning and individuals’ psychological functioning. Second, the majority of disaster research has focused on the relatively short-term effects of disaster. This is a major limitation because community impacts may be experienced over long periods of time as social networks respond to, are re-established and evolve following a disaster. Beyond Bushfires is a five year research study being led by the University of Melbourne that is exploring the interplay between individual and community factors and their influence on recovery from natural disaster over the medium to long term period. The study is using multiple methodologies and involves multiple partners. The survey conducted in the third year following the Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009 involved over 1,000 participants from 24 selected Victorian communities with varying levels of bushfire impact. Over 80% of participants described themselves or someone close to them as being at personal risk at the time of the fires. The survey provides much-needed data on the ongoing impacts of disasters in terms of life disruption, health and wellbeing, social networks and connection to community. It demonstrates the relationship between social connections and level of recovery and provides a useful guide to individual and community recovery trajectories over the longer term post-disaster period.