Victorian SAES crews rise to the occasion during Grampians bushfires
BY LERISSE SMITH
Victorian Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) volunteers from across the state joined forces to feed the many community members displaced by the recent Grampians National Park bushfire crisis.
The team provided more than 1400 meals to residents affected by the major bushfire that began on 17 December in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. Dry lightning started multiple fires in the southern part of the national park. Additionally, the Salvos distributed a large amount of material aid to hundreds of people residing at council-run relief centres during the crisis.
More than 76,000 hectares of national park and agricultural land burned during a three-week period before the fire was contained, and four homes were lost.
“Boxing Day was very scary,” said Adam Clark, Assistant Coordinator of the Victorian SAES.
“We didn’t really know what was going to happen on Boxing Day. It was scary because all the intel (intelligence information supplied by local authorities) that was coming in from the government was that it was going to be like Black Saturday. That is what they were expecting in terms of the impact and certainly the weather. But they were very lucky that they could contain it pretty much within the national park, and when it came out onto private land, they could really tackle it.”
SAES crews working hard to serve people affected by the Grampians bushfire crisis in December.
The SAES team consisted of more than 30 volunteers plus staff who were mainly based out of Ararat during the Grampians emergency from 16-28 December but were also called to Stawell for a few days during that time. The team used three catering trucks, one material-needs truck and coolrooms at the Grampians fire.
The SAES was also called on to serve community members’ needs and provide both catering and material aid at other council-run relief centres. The material aid included bedding, clothing and a huge amount of toiletry packs. Local community relief centres were set up in townships, including Ararat, Stawell, Hamilton, Dunkeld and Skipton.
“We had people coming through our relief centres who didn’t know the impact of the bushfire on their house,” Adam said. “Some were thinking their house would be ok, some thinking the worse.”
Carolyn Spratling, Response Coordinator of the Victorian SAES, added that locally affected residents packed their bags in a hurry, thinking they would only be gone for a few hours. They then realised they would be stuck for a few days and needed everyday essentials such as toiletries and towels.
The community members received new clothing and numerous toiletry bags, which volunteers packed. Some residents stayed at the evacuation centres, while others resided in caravans, hotels and motels.
A lack of accommodation at Ararat for the SAES team was a huge challenge during the bushfire emergency.
“Accommodation for our teams proved to be difficult as a lot of the motels and accommodation was taken by forestry firefighters, fire brigade personnel, holidaymakers and evacuated people,” Carolyn remarked.
Despite the lack of accommodation, Carolyn said the SAES team was thankful for always having good systems in place and being ready for when major bushfires occurred.
“We are very fortunate to have good equipment because of our relationship with Woolworths, which is a major sponsor, and other donors,” she said. “We had interstate teams on standby but managed pretty well without calling them in.”
When the Grampians bushfire began, Carolyn and Adam feared they would struggle to find volunteers because it was Christmas. However, Carolyn said people put their hands up, and there was no struggle to find team members willing to help out.
“Kudos to them,” she said. “We thought the timing would be a challenge, but they all stepped up and were brilliant.”
Salvation Army Emergency Services team members on the job at the Grantville fires.
Some SAES team members were also called from the Grampians fire to two other major bushfires. First, they were called to The Gurdies (Grantville) in South Gippsland to support the emergency services personnel fighting the fires, where they remained for a few days in late December. Over 5000 meals were prepared and supplied to firefighters at that fire.
Team members were also called to the Bullengarook fire, where 500 meals were prepared for firefighters. Once both fires were contained, teams returned to assist with the Grampian emergency.
The recovery effort is now underway in the Grampians. Adam noted that the bushfire caused multiple power and mobile phone outages, and the cost of living has severely impacted residents, especially as many had limited food in their fridges and freezers.
Local councils have reached out to the Salvos for help replacing food and providing recovery payments, which are currently being processed.
SAES team members on the job at the Mt Macendon centre serving people affected by the Bullengarook fire.
