I would imagine that everyone knows about the Bushfires that have devastated the Victorian (Australia) countryside. I heard a comparison the other day that claimed that the area of land that has burnt so far is approximately the same as England, and with a death toll climbing over 180 people it is Australia's worst ever natural disaster.
The fires began in the early hours of Saturday 7th and within 20 hours had wiped out entire towns, joining together to create an awesome wall of fire almost the entire width of the state. It was on Monday (9th) that I was called in to help coordinate the material aid centre in Whittlesea, a town just 30 minutes up the road from where I live and work now.I arrived to find an amazing group of volunteers, many of whom had been on the go for over 40 hours, and now just needed support and a break to re-group. It has been my privilege to work with these people to provide a place where people can donate, (mountains of clothes, shelves of food and many other goods) and a safe and quiet place where the victims can find supplies, support and safety.
I've heard amazing and terrifying reports of fire and escape and stories of death and devastation. I listened to a child of 7 tell us about the wall of fire that raced behind them down the road. I sat with a man who three days after the fires was reunited with a partner he though had died. I walked with a man who four days after running for his life had just comprehended that the shoes that he needed for work were in the cupboard, in the bedroom, in the house that was no more.
But in the midst of the stories of devastation there are the stories of heroism, hope, faith and generosity. The people of Australia have, as they usually do, opened their hearts, their wallets, their garages and their cupboards to assist those that have lost the lot. So much so, that we have almost covered an entire cricket ground with pallets, marquees, piles of clothes, food and equipment and that's not to mention the hundreds of people that have come to volunteer their time and talents to relieve and ultimately rebuild.
The Centre and the support effort continues at Whittlesea as I try and juggle a continuing "consultant" role with the work I am supposed to do.
