Photo supplied by Carol Pullar.
From left: Stuart Moir, Zoe Collings, Jess Pickwick, Angus Brebner, Ashley Hillebrand, Jared Plumbe
This page and front cover photos supplied by Kevin Butler, Joe Castro and Newspaper House. Photos supplied by Newspaper House throughout this book include many that were kindly contributed to them during the 2009 bushfires. Contents
01 History of the Black 02 CFA — The Country Fire Authority 03 The SES — State Emergency Services 04 St John’s First Aid Services Introduction 05 Fire Survival Kit 06 First Aid This booklet is to help teenagers prepare for bushfire seasons each year. 07 Radiant Heat It has been designed to provide information 08 Fire Ready Around the House on how to help teens and how they can help 09 Leaving Early their parents out during a fire, to stay calm and not make situations more stressful 11 Looking after your Younger Brothers than they already are, and what they can and Sisters take if the family needs to evacuate. 12 Pets In Fire Danger It will also give you some information you 13 Wildlife will need on how to deal with pets and livestock and how to keep them safe, how 15 Interviews to keep your younger siblings calm and 19 Community Advisory Groups under control during an evacuation, and in Mitchell Shire the best way to cope with the aftermath of the events. 27 Report from CFA We hope that it is informative, useful and 28 Aftershock relevant and that you will use this guide each year as part of your yearly preparations for 28 A Year On . . . the summer bushfire season. 32 Bushfires & Children 35 Food for Thought 41 Editorial Committee
Important Contacts
Mitchell Shire Council Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction 5734 6200 and Recovery Authority (VBRRA) Case Management Service Central Reception: 9092 5875 1800 050 400 Building Commission 1300 360 320 Mitchell Community Health Service Community Service Hub Counselling and Support 96 Walnut Street, Whittlesea Nurse On Call 1300 773 352 9719 1000 1300 606 024 [email protected] Department Of Human Services Kids Help Line 1300 650 172 Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction 1800 551 800 www.dhs.vic.gov.au and Recovery Authority www.kidshelp.com.au 1800 240 667 CFA: www.cfa.vic.gov.au RSPCA for Bushfire Recovery Department of Sustainability and Information or Animal Issues DSE: www.dse.vic.gov.au Environment – Broadford Office 9224 2222 SES: www.ses.vic.gov.au 5784 0600 www.rspcavic.org
Introduction and Important Contacts resourced by Cheryl Palmateer. Contents written by Ashley Hillebrand. Foreword by Ben Hardman MP, Member for Seymour Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Bushfire Reconstruction.
Broadford Secondary College VCAL students have done a commendable job producing ‘Teenagers in Fire Zones’. It is concise, easy to understand and informative.
Many students at Broadford Secondary College were directly or indirectly affected by the Black Saturday Bushfires. Using the experience and knowledge they gained from it to help other young people, they have found a wonderful way to make a difference for others who may be impacted by disasters in the future and to help people prepare for future bushfire events.
The information contained in the Fire booklet makes it a comprehensive and practical guide.
The stories that people have shared with the authors are very powerful and will make the reader think about how to prepare and how to act before and during a bushfire event.
Very importantly, the stories and anecdotes will also help provide survivors some knowledge and understanding about what they and so many others are going through, along with ideas on how to respond to the trauma. The booklet may also help friends and family members understand these problems and how they can best support people around them.
Congratulations to all involved in bringing this booklet together. I commend it as essential reading for anyone who lives in a bushfire prone area and is interested to learn and survive in this environment.
Photos below courtesy of Kevin Butler. History of the Black Saturday Bushfires
The Black Saturday bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited or were burning across Victoria on and around Saturday 7 February 2009 during extreme bushfire weather conditions, resulting in Australia’s highest ever loss of life from a bushfire. One hundred and seventy-three people died as a result of the fires and four hundred and fourteen people were injured.
As many as 400 individual fires were recorded on 7 February.
Conditions Effects The majority of the fires ignited and spread on The fires destroyed over 2,030 houses, a day of some of the worst bushfire weather 3,500+ structures in total and damaged conditions ever recorded. Temperatures in the thousands more. Many towns north-east of mid to high 40s°C (approx. 110–120°F) and Melbourne were badly damaged. wind speeds in excess of 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph), precipitated by an intense heat wave, fanned the fires over large distances and areas, creating several large firestorms, Overall statistics particularly north-east of Melbourne, where a single firestorm accounted for 120 of the – 450,000 ha (1,100,000 acres) burnt 173 deaths. – 414 people injured – 7,562 people displaced
– Over 3,500 structures destroyed, including Major Fires 2,029+ houses (Kilmore East fire) – 59 commercial properties (shops, pubs, service stations, golf clubs, etc) Just before midday on 7 February, high winds felled a 2 km (1.2 mile) section of power – 12 community buildings (including 2 lines in Kilmore East, sparking a fire in open police stations, 3 schools, 3 churches, 1 grasslands that adjoin pine plantations. The fire station) fire was fanned by extreme north-westerly – 399 machinery sheds, 729 other farm winds, and travelled 50 km (31 miles) south- buildings, 363 hay sheds east in a narrow fire front through Wandong and Clonbinane. – 19 dairies, 26 wool sheds
The large smoke cloud from the Kilmore East fire, being blown across Melbourne’s north-east at 2:49pm. Photo supplied by Carol Pullar.
Resourced and written by Stuart Moir. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. This section has been included in the booklet to give you some information in case you were thinking about volunteering for either the CFA, SES or St. John’s Ambulance. Volunteering is an excellent way to learn even more about how to be as prepared as you can for any emergency, not only bush fires.Volunteering for one of these organisations also gives you an excellent chance to meet and make many new friends in the community. CFA — The Country Fire Authority
What do Volunteers do? There are many ways that Volunteers can make a valuable contribution to the community. CFA welcomes different people with different skills to meet a wide variety of community needs.
Firefighting Roles in the CFA These roles refer to emergency operations roles that respond to a range of incidents, including firefighting, road accidents, industrial rescues, flood relief and chemical spills. Some examples of these roles are firefighter, incident controller and pump operator. You could be more interested in being a crew leader, or a role in communications. There are also special skilled roles including chainsaw Exciting Training Opportunities operation and breathing apparatus. Comprehensive training is available to all new members. The training you will undertake will What’s in it for you? vary depending on the brigade you join and the Being a CFA volunteer can involve some hard work, role you are interested in. Your training might but the rewards are great. Being a CFA Volunteer include: basic firefighting; pump operation; fire creates opportunities to: develop leadership and safety awareness; fire equipment maintenance; people management capabilities; learn new skills endorsed truck license; first aid; leadership training; that help you in your professional and personal life; communications; breathing apparatus. receive accredited training; meet new friends; be part of Victoria’s largest volunteer team; achieve Junior Volunteers personal goals; put something back into your community; involve the whole family. The Junior Volunteer Development Program (JVDP) is a youth development program run by CFA volunteers that provides a wide variety of safe, enjoyable and challenging activities for children aged 11 to 16. The JVDP is delivered by approximately 150 CFA brigades, and the objectives of the program are to: provide young people with a sense of place in their community and an awareness of the need for, and benefits of volunteerism; enhance personal values such as commitment, responsibility and respect for self and others; increase the opportunity for future recruitment and volunteer involvement, whilst making a proactive contribution to the safety and wellbeing of Victorian communities.
This information was taken directly from the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/joining/volunteering
Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. SES — State Emergency Services
VICSES is a volunteer based organization responding to emergencies and working to ensure the safety of communities around Victoria. VICSES is the lead agency when responding to floods, storms and earthquakes and operates the largest network of road rescue in Australia. There are more than 5500 committed and dedicated volunteers around the state who provide these services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Victoria State Emergency Service plays a key role countering the effects of natural and technological emergencies.
Become a Volunteer SES activities VICSES volunteers come from different professions, SES plays a vital role countering the effects of backgrounds and all walks of life. As well as saving natural and man made emergencies. Some of the the lives and property of many Victorians, VICSES SES activities are: volunteer members find there are many personal benefits to volunteering. There is the opportunity • Flood to hold leadership positions, earn accreditations • Windstorms that can be used beyond VICSES, become a respected figure in the community and form strong • Earthquake friendships. • Road Rescue • Emergency Planning and Preparedness SES benefits • Search and Rescue Each and every Victorian benefits every time the • Support and Relief Roles SES responds to an emergency. The SES provides our state with emergency assistance that would be beyond our means if not for SES volunteers. It is a proud matter of record that SES volunteers How can I find have saved the lives and property of countless Victorians. out more
However, SES volunteers themselves also benefit If you would like to learn more about becoming from their participation. Although they are unpaid, a Victoria State Emergency Volunteer call they have a wide range of opportunities to develop 1300 VICSES (that’s 1300 842 737). Calls new skills, form new friendships, accept high made during business hours will be connected levels of responsibility and enjoy the team spirit of to your local VICSES Regional Office. a tightly knit unit.
This information was taken directly from the SES website: www.ses.vic.gov.au
Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. St John’s First Aid Services
St John Ambulance Australia volunteers provide a range of important community services across the country. Our 12,631 volunteers - the backbone of St John Ambulance Australia - provide the majority of these 1,341,510 hours of community services.
First Aid Services:
Our First Aid Services volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary things St John Ambulance Australia is the premier provider of first aid services at public events and emergencies. Each year our 10,000 First Aid Services volunteers, in their familiar black and white uniforms, care for around 80,000 sick and injured people and provide over 600,000 hours of service to their communities.
First Aid Services volunteering is for people of all ages If you are aged 8-18 years you are invited to join our Cadets Program. St John Ambulance Cadets provide First Aid services to their community while developing valuable life skills – first aid, teamwork, management and leadership – just to name a few. There are heaps of opportunities to meet new people, challenge yourself and be recognised for your achievements. If you are aged 18 years or over you can join as an Adult Member. The majority of our Adult Members are involved in delivering First Aid, First Responder and Advanced Responder services at public events and during emergencies. Health Care Professionals are most welcome to join. In addition, there are lots of non-clinical roles available for adults including managing Cadet and Adult Divisions, providing logistics and supporting our volunteers. We provide all training, support and insurance so that you can be confident in your volunteering role.
This information was taken directly from the St. John’s website: www.stjohn.org.au
Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Fire Survival Kit
It might be useful to have a Fire Survival Kit prepared before the Fire Season begins each year. You should put these things in one of those plastic containers you can buy at a $2 shop.
Things to pack in your kit:
● Protective clothing made from natural fibres ● Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. – cotton, linen Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate ● Food and water – health bars, drinks in plastic bottles etc. ● Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. ● Toiletries Consider additional clothing in case the ● Mobile phone and charger weather changes ● A list of contact numbers for your doctor, ● Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items dentist, local hospital, chemist, vet, municipal ● Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper council, gas, electricity and water providers towels ● A first-aid kit ● Paper and pencil ● Wallet / ID of all sorts ● Books, games, puzzles or other activities for ● A torch with spare batteries and candles to children – including Nintendos, PSPs etc. provide light ● Dust / smoke masks ● Matches or lighter ● Pocket knife ● Battery radio with spare batteries or a wind-up ● Permanent marker, paper and tape radio ● Photos of family members and pets for ● Fire blankets re-identification purposes ● Wire cutters – in case fences need to be cut ● List of emergency point-of-contact phone ● Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties numbers ● Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities ● List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food ● Prescription medications and glasses ● Copy of health insurance ● Infant formula and nappies (if relevant) ● Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or ● Important family documents such as copies other vital personal items of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable wallet ● Toothbrush and toothpaste ● Cash including change ● Extra keys to your house and vehicle ● Emergency reference material such as a first aid book
Resourced and edited by Angus Brebner. First Aid
First Aid for Small Burns: What to do for grazes: Hold the burnt area of skin under cold running tap Grazes hurt, so the child will need comforting. water for at least 20 minutes. Wash your hands before starting to treat the If it begins to hurt badly after it is taken out of cold wound. As the damage has broken the body’s first water, put it back into cold water for longer. defence against infection (the skin), grazes can become infected. If the burn is small (under about a large coin size) it could be covered with a sterile non-stick dressing Aim to: Wash the graze then put a bandaid or (burns dressings can be bought at a pharmacy). bandage on. If the burnt area is larger, it would be wise to see a doctor. How to treat Cuts: Aim to: If the burn is on your hand or any part of Because cuts go through deeper tissues, larger your body that is not covered by clothing, the area blood vessels can be damaged, causing a lot more should be cooled around the burn. But if the burn is bleeding than grazes. Cuts on the head are likely to under your clothing, cool the burn then cut around bleed a lot. any clothing that may be stuck to the wounds To control bleeding, apply pressure to the cut area (Don’t pull it). with a clean cloth. If a cloth is not available, use fingers to press onto the wound. If possible, get the person who is bleeding to apply this pressure or use barriers such as latex gloves (or plastic bag) to protect your hands, because of the risk of getting a blood-borne infection. Raising the injured part will slow down blood flow and help control the bleeding. Aim to: Wash the cut, dry out the cut, stop the bleeding Photo by Sue Sedawie. and put a bandage on the cut.
How to treat grazes: Grazes (also called scrapes, abrasions or ‘gravel rash’) are some of the most common injuries to skin, especially for children. They are very painful as they damage many nerve endings in the skin. The top layers of the skin are scraped off and the broken skin surface is covered by many small bleeding spots where tiny blood vessels are broken. Bleeding is not usually severe, since only small blood vessels are damaged. Photo by Zoe Collings.
First Aid Courses: Melbourne First Aid Training Emergency First Aid Pty Ltd Australian First Aid Healthcare First Aid Training, Melb. 1st Floor/550 Flinders St 11-17 Cohen Pl 126 The Avenue Level 1, 757 Bourke St Melbourne VIC 3000 Melbourne VIC 3000 Parkville VIC 3052 Docklands, Melbourne VIC 3008 1300 305 606 1300 301 193 (03) 9754 1022 1300 852 475 melbournefirstaid.com emergency.com.au australianfirstaid.com.au healthcorp.com.au
Resourced by Stuart Moir. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand and Angus Brebner. Radiant Heat What is radiant? Radiant heat is the warmth you can feel when you are near a campfire, radiant heater or the flame from a gas stove top, but in a major bushfire this heat can be 50,000 times more intense. Radiant heat is a big killer in a bushfire, so the right clothing and protection could be the difference between life and death.
How to protect yourself: ● A long-sleeved shirt or long-sleeved overalls made from natural fibres such as cotton or linen
● Pants made from cotton or some other natural fibre, such as jeans
● Sturdy boots or shoes with enclosed toes (preferably leather with thick leather soles) and woollen socks
● Tough leather gloves (NOT RUBBER OR SYNTHETIC)
● A wide-brimmed hat to provide head protection
● A face mask or a damp towel tied around your face to protect your mouth and nose
● A damp/wet towel to cover your neck to help cool your body
● Eye protection such as smoke goggles to shield your eyes
Resourced and edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Fire Ready Around The House
Some things you need to do around your house to get it fire ready.
To start off, you can get up on to the roof to clean if you live near lots of trees or parks. This could out your gutters because, in a fire, with embers be a place for fires to start. If you don’t have a flying around, if any happen to land in the gutters tank or even a swimming pool, then you are just they can easily set your roof on fire. going to have to hope the mains water still works. Make sure you have water in a bath inside in With vegetation around your house, new rules now case of spot fires around the house from embers. let you remove trees that are within a 10m radius of Use towels soaked in the bath to stamp out small your house and also any ground vegetation within fires or to keep smoke from entering the house a 30m radius of your house without any permit. through the doorways. But if you choose not to do that, then make sure that any low branches that hang over or close to If you are in a spot where fires could start nearby your house are pruned. You should rake up any then it’s a good idea just to have a look around leaves, twigs etc. in order to reduce the fuel a fire and see what you think would catch on fire. Things can use to keep burning. you should look for are bushes, leaves, grass and wood and anything else, even stuff near the house If you live out of town you probably have a tank such as doormats and even garden furniture. or maybe even a dam on your property. These both can be useful in case of a fire because if you If you have a carport or verandah, which nearly also have mains water to your house, sometimes everybody does, then get up and clean the roof in a fire they are not working so you can’t rely on if it needs it. Also, if you’re close to a fire, or even them. So if you have a dam or a tank but you before it, just wet everything down, including your don’t have a pump it would be a good idea to get house, so it will be harder for flying embers to one. A petrol pump would be best so if there’s start a fire. If you have an LPG gas bottle outside, a fire and no power then you will still be right. If make sure everything around it is clear, because you happen to live in town, look around and see that’s one thing you don’t want to catch on fire.
Photo supplied by Newspaper House.
Resourced by Codey Phillips. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand and Angus Brebner. Leaving Early
Leaving your property early – before bushfire Inside threatens your life – takes planning and preparation. • Close all doors and windows Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone regions • Take down curtains and move furniture away in the world with bushfires threatening lives and from windows homes each summer. Every person living near • Fill sinks, baths, and buckets with water bush, grassland or coastal areas must have a Bushfire Survival Plan detailing whether you will • Put wet towels under door gaps to keep out leave before bushfire threatens or stay to actively sparks defend your home. • Shelter in the part of the house which is furthest away from the approaching fire (with a clear exit) • Drink water to prevent dehydration • Listen to a battery powered radio for fire reports • Keep a ladder inside in order to reach into the roof space to check for fire outbreak • Ensure there is a tap in the house to attach a hose capable of reaching every room in the house including the roof space • To block sparks and smoke from entering your house, turn off evaporative air conditioners Picture provided by Carol Pullar – Kilmore East
If you decide to stay, there are a few things you need to consider:
Things To Do...
Outside • Dress in natural fibre clothes, cover exposed skin • Block downpipes. Flood gutters with water • Wet down house walls, roof and lawn • Check garden hoses reach all sides of the home • Check window screens are on to keep out sparks • Move any portable, flammable items such as wooden furniture, mats, hanging baskets away from the house
• Bring pets inside Photo supplied by Newspaper House.
Resourced by Rachael Axen and Josh Wheeler. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand and Angus Brebner. Leaving Early
If you decide to leave • Ensure there is a hose attached inside that can reach the entire house including the roof area Even if you decide to leave you must still prepare your house and property as if you were staying. • Block all gaps from inside with wet towels to stop smoke and embers blowing into the house What you should do before • Turn off the gas supply (do not turn gas supply back on after the fire has passed without first leaving your house: consulting with a professional) • Check water supply and top up if necessary • Ensure that any gas cylinders are turned off • Meet with neighbours to discuss plans Bushfires kill and the only way to ensure your • Block up downpipes and fill gutters with water safety is to be well away from the threat. If you live in a bushfire prone area and if your plan is to leave • Put all flammable items inside such as door early, the safest option is to leave at the beginning mats and outside furniture of a day when the Fire Danger Rating is declared Severe or Extreme, or in the morning or the night • Hose down side of the house facing the fire before Code Red (Catastrophic) conditions are • Hose down the garden facing the fire forecast. • Remain outside for as long as possible, checking for spot fires I’ve decided to leave – where • Put all hoses inside, so they do not melt should I go? The only sure way to survive a bushfire is be well • Put a ladder under the manhole with torch away from the threat, so you will need to relocate nearby somewhere where there is no chance of a bushfire • Close all doors, vents and windows occurring. Consider staying with family or friends who live in a low fire risk area. Ask around and • Take down curtains make tentative arrangements before the fire • Move furniture away from windows season begins.
• Fill sinks, baths and buckets with water This information was taken from the following websites: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/residents/summer/leavingearly.htm; • Put wet towels under doors and windows www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au. • Listen to a battery powered radio for fire updates
Before and after. Photo provided by Concetta la Marchesina.
10 Resourced by Rachael Axen and Josh Wheeler. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Looking after your younger brothers and sisters
One way that you can help your younger brothers It is important to monitor small children after a major and sisters on a high risk fire danger day is by fire goes through your area. Some of the ways you making sure they have appropriate clothing on. can tell if your younger siblings are experiencing grief Make sure they have plenty of fluids and snacks or trauma is if they are experiencing any physical for the day. Help them make a kid’s survival kit. reactions e.g. stomach aches or headaches. They You can get your younger siblings to help you look could experience difficulty sleeping, and have bad after pets and other animals. It is good to keep dreams or nightmares. You could find them having them occupied by playing games that they enjoy eating problems or behaving in a really immature playing. You can also get them to colour in pictures manner, or they may have difficulty concentrating and reassure them and explain what is going on. or even acting like they haven’t taken in what has Make sure you know where they are at all times. happened. They can experience fear of the dark, loud noises, or smoke. Children suffering grief or trauma may also lose interest in regular activities.
Info taken from: www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/pdf/papers/ bushfires – Teenagers in emergencies
A kid’s survival kit should have things that will keep your brothers and sisters entertained. This should include their favourite toys, favourite games, some books that they like having read to them, colouring in books and pencils. It could also include DVDs and their favourite clothes. After the fires, it’s important that you keep to as many familiar family routines as you can, as too many changes can increase the stress for your younger brother or sister. Familiarity will assist your siblings to feel safe, as will physical closeness and comfort. It is also good to let your younger brothers and sisters ask questions and try to work out how this would relate to their life experience so that you can respond appropriately. Also try providing an encouraging environment where your younger brother and sister feel safe to express their feelings in whatever way they can. It is also important that you protect your younger brothers and sisters from the TV and the distressing images and stories that they can be exposed to. Robert and Isbella Stone. Photos supplied by Shirley Stone.
Resourced by Joel Ramsay, Heather Limbrick and Daniel Thomson. Edited by Zoe Collings. 11 Pets in fire danger
We have a responsibility to our pets; they’re not just going to pack their bags and leave. Whether horse, dog, cat, guinea pig, rabbit or mice, it is our duty to protect our pets from harm.
Make sure your cat/dog has plenty of food; a collapsible or small bowl of water (preferably cold). Take your water bottles along in a plastic bag with one week’s supply of any required medication. If you have a fish, you should take it in Photo supplied by Kevin Butler. a bucket of water. You should keep a vaccination certificate, a towel or blanket (non-synthetic) a cage for small dogs/cats and crates for larger Kit dogs. Make sure they are labelled. Make a Go-bag for each pet. Include: Direct burns from the flames are rarely the • Sturdy leashes and pet carriers. A pillowcase cause of a pet’s death. They die on account is a good option for transporting cats and other of unsatisfactory protection from the heat and small animals. Muzzles for dogs. Food, portable smoke fires cause. Radiant heat is the main killer water and medicine for at least one week. of horses, cattle, dogs, sheep and cats, causing the body’s cooling system to fail. This results • Non-spill bowls, manual can opener and in heat stroke, dehydration, asphyxiation and plastic lid. death. • Plastic bags, litter box and litter. Putting distance between the radiant heat and the animal is quite likely the best refuge from the • Recent photo of each pet. threat. If you plan to evacuate during a bushfire- • Names and phone numbers of your emergency you must leave early, and prepare to take your contact, emergency veterinary hospitals and pets with you. animal shelters. It is also advisable to take a small piece of paper • Copy of your pet’s vaccination history and any for each pet. It should contain owner details, medical problems. your regular vet’s details, any important medical history and microchip number. • Portable fencing or baby cot.
These photos were supplied by Tessa Sedawie.
12 Resourced by Jeremy Grant. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Wildlife
In the chance of there being a bushfire, there will always be animals that behave differently. Some nocturnal animals might start coming out during the day because they are confused and don’t know what they are doing. Some animals that would never come up to you, like kangaroos, could start coming up to you and let you pat them and even let you feed them because they can’t get food or can’t find water on their own because it’s all gone because of the bushfire.
If you find an injured animal find a wild animal don’t over-feed. If you are taking care of a wild animal make sure your cats and • If it is a small animal like a possum then it dogs stay inside because if they go outside they could fit in a pillow case. may try to kill the animal. Even if you’re not looking after a wild animal don’t let your cats or dogs out • If it is a big animal like a kangaroo then it could without someone holding them on a leash. fit in a doona cover. If you find a kangaroo that has been hit by a car So make sure that you have something that won’t then look in its pouch to make sure they don’t have scare the animal but will keep it calm so that it a baby in it because if they do it wouldn’t survive won’t freak out and kill itself trying to get out. If you by itself, so make sure you get the baby and ring a catch the injured animal then make sure you ring a wildlife carer so they can take care of it, but make wildlife carer and take it to them to look after. sure you wrap the baby up in something warm and Some animals can survive after a fire and some make sure it is secure. could get infections from getting burnt. Kangaroos If you see kangaroos lying down under a tree then could walk on a road and it could still be really hot that could mean that they have been burnt by the and will burn their feet, which could get infected. fire and are just trying to find shade so they aren’t If after the fires a wild animal like a kangaroo or in the sun any more, but you shouldn’t go up to anything comes up to you, make sure that if you them because they could still attack you, so if you give it water, you don’t keep doing that every day see them lying under a tree make sure you ring or the wild animal will become dependent on you the wildlife centre to come and see the kangaroo. and won’t be able to survive in the wild on its own If they aren’t moving much that is how you know because it won’t be able to find food. So if you they might be burnt.
These photos were supplied by Narelle from Wildlife Rescue.
Resourced and edited by Jared Plumbe and Ashley Hillebrand. 13 Wildlife
What to do with injured wildlife:
• Be cautious – injured animals and birds can be up gently and firmly and place it in a cardboard aggressive – they will definitely be stressed – do box or suitable container. Please don’t put the not handle more than is absolutely necessary animal in the boot of your car. – for their sake and yours! • Do not attempt to feed or give any type of • Safely remove dead animals from the road fluids – offering shocked and injured animals, – The danger to other motorists especially particularly birds, drink or food can be fatal. It is motor bike riders, is a major hazard. Also many preferable to leave them alone until advice has species, particularly birds, grieve over the dead been received from a wildlife carer. bodies of family members and can themselves, become road accident victims. • For larger animals such as koalas, wallabies, kangaroos or wombats – cover them with • Stop and check adult animals who are road a blanket (particularly the head area) and call accident victims – very often a pouch young immediately for assistance. Covering them will is alive inside the pouch of a dead mother and lessen the stress they are under and allow for can be saved with intensive nursing and care. easier handling. Be very cautious – it can be Take great care in removing the orphan if it is dangerous attempting to handle these animals. attached to its mother’s teat – young marsupials grow firmly attached to their mother’s teat and • Be particularly careful of handling any Bird of considerable damage can occur to the mouth Prey – again, cover them and phone for further area if care is not taken. advice.
• Securely wrap the young orphan in something Please remember, help and advice is only a phone warm – young immature animals rely on their call away. We are happy to assist you, or to refer mother for warmth and cannot maintain their you to your closest Wildlife Carer. Some of your own body heat, it is essential to keep them warm local Wildlife Shelters are: and secure. Clonbinane Wildlife Shelter 0401 150 069 • Keep the animal or bird (particularly pouch Kilmore Wildlife Shelter 0427 902 133 young) warm, quiet and in darkness – when picking up, cover with a cloth or blanket, scoop it Wallan Wildlife Shelter 0438 045 156
The following wildlife welfare organisations can also assist:
Wildlife Victoria Wildlife Rescue Emergency Service RSPCA 24 hour hotline 24 hour service (03) 9224 2222 1300 094 535 0427 301 401 www.rspcavic.org www.wildlifevictoria.org.au www.wres.org.au
Help for Wildlife BADGAR Emergency Wildlife and Rescue Healesville Sanctuary 24 hour emergency service 24 hour wildlife rescue Injured Wildlife Enquiries 0417 380 687 1300 223 427 5957 2829 www.helpforwildlife.com www.wildlifeshelter.org.au
Wildlife Rescue Australian Wildlife Assistance Rescue Emergency Service and Education 24 hour emergency hotline Rescue hotline 0419 356 433 0412 433 727 www.wrin.asn.au www.awarewildlife.org.au
14 Resourced and edited by Jared Plumbe and Ashley Hillebrand. The following interviews have been included to show how other teenagers have dealt with these fires.
Interviews
Ebony Cantanese Josh Wheeler My family and I were in Echuca, camping. On the 7th February I We got lots of phone calls from friends at was going to get tools home saying that there were fires around our for my building and area. We didn’t know anything about what construction course with was happening, and we got calls from our Dad on our motorbike. neighbours saying that the fires were coming On the way back from our way but were hopefully going to miss us. getting my tools we saw Then on the Sunday we got a phone call in flames and smoke in and the morning from our neighbour that lived right around Kilmore. When beside us saying he was able to save his house we got back home, we but ours unfortunately didn’t make it. could see smoke from our back veranda. Then we had a sleep because At the start of knowing this I was OK and so it was too hot. A couple of hours later, we decided was my dad, but mum was really upset. Then to go into town because the smoke was getting mum went home and she saw the house and closer. There were a lot of people in town saying took pictures and videos. how they had lost their house. At about 6.30pm We weren’t prepared for this but we we’re someone told us that the wind had changed and getting there. it was going towards our place. So we went back quickly and got all our stuff. We got three swags Knowing my house was at risk I didn’t really and birth certificates and then got out. That was it. think much about it because we kept hearing that it was going to miss us. We knew that When we went back we could see all the embers Wandong had been hit, and Kilmore, but that it in the air. The house was finished, all that was left would pretty much go around us. was the metal beams that the house was sitting on. Mum had to get out quicker than us because she I think in the future other teenagers and their couldn’t breathe properly. We got the dogs out but families should have a fire plan and if they know one dog would not come out from under the house they’re going to have to deal with bushfires, so we had to leave her there and she would have either get out of there to save themselves or died. We lost the chook pen and all our chooks as see if they can save their house, but if it’s too well. We went back into town after we got our stuff risky, don’t even bother. out. We stayed at a mate’s house and the next morning at about 6am we came and saw that the house was gone. I felt pretty sad, but Mum was crying a lot. I didn’t think the fire would have hit the house. After the fire, we started out by renting a house and then a couple months after that we started looking for a house to buy. I think for other teenagers in the future that they should make a fire plan and make sure they get out early. Don’t leave it too late!
Photo supplied by Newspaper House.
Interviewed by Erin Galea and Jessica Lewis. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand, Angus Brebner and Zoe Collings. 15 Interviews
Joanna Dad was running around the place trying to get everything prepared, filling up gutters. We tried to Stubbings help, but we didn’t really know what to do and he’s the So from the start, I sort of person that doesn’t really give much direction. suppose we knew it So that was something I thought would be really was going to be a fairly handy, if you had a whole plan for your family about dangerous fire day what needs to be done and how you can help, and because my dad’s in the just to be aware of things. I thought that would have CFA and was telling us been really handy to have at that time. to be cautious and not go on the roads. Mum In the afternoon it started getting really, really smoky. and I decided to go to Simular to a really foggy day, but we didn’t actually Bunnings, so we were on see any fire until maybe 8pm at night in Flowerdale. the roads in the early afternoon and we were heading Mum and dad had said that when the fire comes, back at about 2.30pm to Flowerdale. As we were everyone’s to go inside, because we were pretty well coming back up to Kinglake from Whittlesea, we saw prepared, as it’s a brick house and we’d been spraying smoke coming from the Kilmore East side. I don’t the whole house with water all afternoon. know if we knew there was a fire at that stage but we When the fire crossed the road into our orchard, the were still thinking that dad was exaggerating about wind must have changed as it went around one side being out on the road. of our house. There was another front that came from We just went home and it was really hot and then the the opposite side but then it stopped at the road. But power went out so we couldn’t use our air conditioner my Nan and grandpa live next door up the hill so we any more and we heard from our neighbour that she could see the fire going towards their house, but it was getting evacuated so we thought “Oh we’re not was OK because they were at my cousin’s place. So going to hang round here. It’s too hot. We’ll go to mum they weren’t home. But you could see all the trees and dad’s.” around their house were all lit up, and we thought that their house was gone for sure because they just had My boyfriend got a call from his friend in the meantime a little old house that had been there for ever. and he was at the Southern 80. He asked my boyfriend if he could go and pick up his dogs because they were And then we realised we were running out of petrol, up at his house in Kinglake West. So my boyfriend and we needed petrol because we were pumping was driving back towards Kinglake West and there water from the dam, so we could put out spot fires. were lots of cars coming back the other way and they Dad said to go up to Michelle and Joe’s, who are my were flashing their lights at him, and that’s when it aunty and uncle further up the road, and to try and started to get smokier and smokier. So he ran up to get some petrol from them. So Adam and I got in the his friend’s house and got the dogs and you could car and started driving up there and on both sides hear crackling in the bushland behind his friend’s of the road there were flames everywhere, and then house. He was a bit worried about it but then he got we got to the driveway and there were flames all up home with the dogs. While he was getting the dogs, I was trying to figure out what to take. I didn’t really know what to take. I just got my hair straightener and a couple of pictures and a change of clothes for us. I asked Adam if he wanted me to get anything for him but he was just like, “Oh, nah don’t worry about it. I’ll just take some clothes and that’s about it.” We really just thought we would be sleeping at mum and dad’s for that night and that’s it. I packed a few things into my car, like my computer hard drive, and then we both drove to my mum and dad’s on the other side of Flowerdale. Adam had all of the dogs in his car.
16 Interviewed by Erin Galea and Jessica Lewis. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand, Angus Brebner and Zoe Collings. their driveway and I was like there’s no way we’re me but the last we heard was that the fire had gotten driving up there, because we just didn’t want the car to Kinglake West so we thought maybe it hadn’t gone to explode. So we turned around and came back and through Flowerdale. told dad we couldn’t get up there. So we waited a little longer and dad said, “Well, we can’t not have petrol, I So we were driving towards our house and it was think there’s some at Nan and Grandpa’s.” getting worse and worse, and we just couldn’t believe how many houses had burnt down. And in our street So my mum, my brother and my dad got back in the there were some houses at the start of the street that car and drove up the road. At that stage I thought Nan had burnt down and there’s a big blue stone house and Grandpa’s house had burnt down and we went to a few houses up from us that had gone, so we were check just in case. It hadn’t burnt down, but the trees thinking well, if that one’s gone, ours has to be gone. and bushes either side of their house were about to So we got to our block and I sort of looked and it was burn and flames were also about to catch the house, just completely flat and I had to look again to figure so they put them out, got the petrol and came home. out if we were on the right block or not. Everything But all that time I remember thinking oh god, like was was completely burnt and I was really upset, but it their car going to explode with all my family in it and I was Adam’s house, so I felt more sorry for him even if was just all scared. it did have all of my things in it. So we thought oh well So I guess after that the fire came all the way around it’s gone and I remember driving away and thinking our house but didn’t actually go to our house. And about my favourite jeans. I was mad that I had lost mum and dad had stayed up all night keeping an eye my favourite jeans I don’t even know why. I ended up on the fire, and we sort of had a shift thing going to finding the exact same pair of jeans six months later. check on everything. Then the next day we thought, After that we went back to mum and dad’s and fought oh well we didn’t really know how bad it had got but I fires for the rest of the Saturday and the Saturday think we had lost contact. The phones had gone down night we had the shift thing going again and we at about 8pm or maybe even earlier in the night so we still hadn’t had any contact from anyone outside. I hadn’t been able to contact the rest of our family or remember thinking afterwards that at the time it didn’t Adam’s family. And we were a bit worried about that seem that bad, like you really didn’t know that people and we didn’t really know how much of Flowerdale were worried about us. So then Monday morning we was burnt. thought well we better go back to town because we My boyfriend and I live on the other side of Flowerdale were sick of smelling like smoke and we thought we so we thought we’d drive up to our house and see probably should tell Adam’s family that we were OK. if it’s still there, and we were just thinking we’ve got So we drove back to Melbourne and it was pretty a pretty good feeling it will still be there, because I horrible when I think about that drive from Flowerdale guess I just didn’t feel like it was that scary at the time back to Melbourne. There were things like burnt cars and I know everything at the time was burning around on the road.
Interviewed by Erin Galea and Jessica Lewis. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand, Angus Brebner and Zoe Collings. 17 Interviews
And it’s like if you grew up in that area and you know and they had said “Would you like to talk about your what it looked like and how it has looked forever and story?” and I said OK, and I was also so glad that I then having it look so different was really confronting. didn’t cry on TV which was an achievement. But doing We had a lot of friends from Kinglake and Kinglake West that, people saw me on telly which was kind of good for and we heard that all of it was gone. Like everything friends of mine that didn’t know if I was OK or not. was dramatised I suppose. And all of the rumours like just how information gets twisted and things like that. I can’t really remember but I know I got some Mc Donald’s vouchers. They asked me, and straight away So then we got to Whittlesea and there was a road I was like yeah. I think I got $40 worth. So that made block and they said if you leave then you can’t come everything better. So we stayed there for a little while, back and you have to wait till everything has cleared I don’t know how long we stayed in Melbourne before and calmed back down. So you won’t be able to come we tried to go back, it might have been a few days. back for a while. And that was pretty upsetting to hear. We eventually got back to Flowerdale and it must have So we had gone straight to Greensborough where been Wednesday or something so mum and dad had Adam’s family is and we charged our phones and been fighting fires all that time and were pretty tired by there was like a bazillion messages and we checked then. So we went and helped them and that was about facebook and all that stuff and told everyone that we all during the fires. were alive which was weird. It’s sort of strange in a way how people think about you and whether you’re Afterwards there was just a lot of like community safe or not. functions and figuring out where to live and stuff. We lived at both my parents and Adam’s parents, we would My brother lives in Melbourne, so he had been change in between. And at the moment we are about Facebooking people the whole time and talking to to sign a contract for our new house which is pretty relatives. exciting. It took us a while to figure out what we wanted I got $1000 so that was great. We went shopping and to do and if we wanted to live in the same spot because I bought some clothes and other things and then we our street isn’t a very accessible street for fire trucks went back to Whittlesea and they had that Hub thing and things like that. there so we went to The Hub and we got on the Today We found out months afterwards it got on the Whittlesea Show. That was pretty good because friends of ours mountain that we were driving on maybe an hour had put like a poster with all of the numbers and stuff, before the fire. like “Have you seen this person?” sort of thing and if you see this face give us a call. A friend had posted it So that was another thing, make sure you have up for my brother and I, so I was a bit freaked out by a lot of petrol if you’re going to be pumping water that. So yeah, we were out the front of the Today Show everywhere.
Photos supplied by Joanna Stubbings. Interviewed by Erin Galea and Jessica Lewis. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand, Angus Brebner and Zoe Collings. Community Advisory Groups in Mitchell Shire
Broadford Community Advisory Group – the first 12 months
How It All Got Started The Broadford Community Advisory Group was formed out of Broadford-based people who responded to a letter sent out to all households in Mitchell Shire in July of 2009. BCAG is part of the wider Mitchell Community Recovery Action Group (MCRAG). MCRAG is the recognised Community Recovery Committee (CRC) for the Mitchell Shire. MCRAG is the voice Photos on this page were taken by Sue Sedawie. for this Shire which endorses bushfire recovery projects in the Shire. When allocations of funding The final grant figure is expected to be in the are made in regard to bushfire recovery, it is vicinity of $50,000. MCRAG which represents the community to make sure that projects are what the community needs. 2. Community Health Support A Wellbeing group has been formed and has Community Recovery Plans met weekly. Someone from BCAG will continue to be a part of this group and give feedback to The first thing that BCAG did was to complete the the MCRAG so they can investigate funding Community Recovery Plan (CRP) for Broadford. opportunities. A number of events are in the The CRP’s are what the funding organisations use planning stages as a result of this group. to gauge the level of need for a project in the area. The Broadford CRP was submitted to VBRRA in 3. Revegetation and Land Management early December 2009. The following are details of This project is for the revegetation and land three of the needs or ideas identified. management of the area along Sunday Creek 1. Community Emergency Education impacted by the fires. VBAF allocated to Broadford an amount of $10,000, which at the Funding was granted for a community specific May 2010 BCAG meeting, was divided into two publication on emergency preparation. In parts; $5,000 for plants and $5,000 for signage particular funding was received through the VBAF and education. Soon you should see signs and for a booklet prepared from a teenage perspective. education boards around the area under the This is the booklet you are now reading. headings of “Mitchell Regrowing”.
Written by Ros Affleck. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 19 Community Advisory Groups In MitchelL Shire
Clonbinane Hi my name is Lew, I’ve been asked to write about my experience on Black Saturday but first I will explain who I am. My wife and I moved to Spur Road, Clonbinane, in 1985 and for our first six years we lived in a one-bedroom cottage on the property. During that six years, I joined Wandong and then later Clonbinane Fire Brigades and built a new house on the property that we designed and built with bushfires in mind.
Fast forward to Friday 6th February 2009. News reports on all mediums declared extreme fire danger and a total fire ban for the next day and that we should activate our fire plans, ie: stay or go. The previous two Photo taken by Sue Sedawie. weeks had also been extremely hot and dry and there had been several total fire ban days. It surprises me that a lot of us cannot determine which The next day, Saturday 7th February, Clonbinane was way north or south is (all you need is a watch and find not affected by the fire in the early stages, as it was the sun). By living in the country you need those skills being pushed south by the north wind. When the wind and to realise that we are open to the forces of nature, change happened later in the day, the wind swung round ie bushfire, that perhaps you would not be in the city. to the southwest and that’s when it caused problems To learn from that day we need to look behind the for the people of Clonbinane, Wandong, Upper Plenty scenes as presented by the media and find things that and finally Kinglake. There were sixty-two houses and went right. approx one hundred and fifty-two sheds, garages and workshops destroyed in Clonbinane. In Clonbinane, there were many houses that were saved by their owners and families. In all of these Fast forward to now. As humans we learn and form cases, fire knowledge, training and preparation, played our opinions on things that we experience, so I would a major part in them being saved. like everyone to learn from that day and try to change our behaviour so that the same (loss of life, loss of As time goes on and Black Saturday fades into history, property) does not affect so many people next time. we must be prepared for fires like that again and have the experience of that day in our mind. To change our behaviour perhaps we just need to use a bit of common sense and try to be a bit more ‘in tune’ Written by Lew Soulsby from Clonbinane Community with our environment and nature. Advisory Group.
Community Grants
MCRAG is the endorsing body for most of the BCAG is also currently supporting a grant application Bushfire related community grants that have from the Flameingoes Women’s Support Group for become available. funding to cover the cost of publishing a book. The aim of this book is to enable all members of the BCAG put up two applications to MCRAG for funding community the opportunity to record their stories of community events under the “Summer Events” from the Black Saturday. The book will have first grant. The first idea was for a grant to Broadford CFA hand recollections of survivors, volunteers and to cover catering costs of a remembrance lunch held organisations who have been affected or who were on the first anniversary of the fires and a grant to involved in the subsequent relief and recovery the Broadford Community Centre to cover catering process. The book will become part of a family’s of their Twilight Market which was held on the history and be read and passed on for generations anniversary and was open to the community to come to come. and share a meal and partake in a remembrance service. These were well attended and successful So, you can see, BCAG have been busy. Stay tuned events for the Broadford community. guys, there’s plenty more to come . . .
20 Written by Lew Soulsby. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Community Advisory Groups In MitchelL Shire
Wandong and Heathcote Junction “Who would have thought looking at the smoke about 11am on the morning of February 7, 2009 – with the helicopter up – that such a disaster was about to unfold. It looked like just another bushfire but was combination of wind, heat, built up undergrowth and complacency led to our worst disaster in history. In only two hours, this was all that was left of our family home. There was no loss of human life here. We were lucky. But others were not.”
Written by Kristy Cesaria. Edited by Zoe Collings. Photo supplied by Newspaper House.
Upper Plenty Primary School
Upper Plenty Primary School is a very unique the sun. By the time the students were able to drink and special school environment. It is situated the milk it was pretty awful. in a rural area that provides beautiful views and a tranquil learning setting. Black Saturday was a Boys and girls were taught weaving and darning. very trying and dramatic day for everyone at this One of the favourite activities for the students school, however before and since that day there was when the teacher would read to them. This have been many wonderful stories. We would like happened at the end of most days. to share some of these with you. The whole school would often go on nature walks To find out about life at Upper Plenty Primary before in the area as part of the school day. our time we invited Mrs Patton, who attended the school in 1930, her son Steven Patton who attended The school work was mainly about reading, writing Upper Plenty Primary in 1955 and Ross Mugavin and arithmetic. who attended in 1968. They are all residents of Upper Plenty and could tell us lots about the history There were no computers. of the school and the community. This is what their recollection of the community of After talking to them for an hour, we found out the Upper Plenty was like: following things about what their school days at There was a post office which was the hub of the Upper Plenty were like: community. The favourite playtime activity was climbing trees. The green grocer and baker would drive along Most children walked to school except for the lucky the street and you could buy food from the cart or ones who rode either a bike or a horse. truck. The biggest event each year was the school The area has suffered several bad fires and a really concert held in the Shack. bad flood. During the floods people couldn’t leave their homes for days. A nurse would visit regularly for injections. The area didn’t receive electricity until 1964. Milk was delivered daily to the school for each student. The milk was in bottles and often sat in It was peaceful, quiet and safe.
Resourced by Hayley Day and Alison Holmberg. Edited by Jessica Pickwick. 21 Community Advisory Groups In MitchelL Shire
You could walk along the main road to Whittlesea Even though it was a very sad time, after the event and Wallan and not have a car pass you. we banded together and learned how important it was to look after each other. It was very good You always knew everyone you saw. that the school was still standing because we You didn’t lock houses because you knew everyone could come here and things were normal. This and they were trustworthy. was very important for the families who lost their houses because nothing else was normal for them. During Black Saturday... Families helped each other with accommodation, travel to school, replacing uniforms and lost Mrs Patton was home in the morning and was items. We had lots of communication from other evacuated in the afternoon. Her house survived. schools and businesses. We received messages Steven Patton stayed and fought the fires. He of support, gifts and some money. The Variety saved his house. Club visited the school and some directly affected students received bikes. It was a time when all of Ross stayed home and Mrs Patton came to his our community worked together. We learned about house. co-operation and friendship and developed a better understanding of empathy for others. Our school Our school was not burnt down but the fires were close. values of Honesty, Giving Effort, Co-operation, Friendship and Respect became very important. Some of our students lost their homes. As for the future of Upper Plenty we hope that the One student lost their father and two other students community spirit that has been developed over all lost their grandfather. the years of its history will continue to grow and remain a feature of our school. We were not able to return to the school for a few days. We did some special activities in the Wallan Written by Matthew Holmberg, Ross Way, Gemma Elderly Citizen’s Centre and had a movie and pizza Parsons and Bronte Morris. day at Epping. Grade 6 students of Upper Plenty Primary School After Black Saturday… 2010.
From left: Matthew Holmberg, Gemma Parsons, Ross Way & Bronte Morris.
22 Resourced by Hayley Day and Alison Holmberg. Edited by Jessica Pickwick. Community Advisory Groups In MitchelL Shire
Reedy Creek Community Advisory Group
1. We live in a HIGH FIRE prone area a) Get to know your local area b) Talk to the local community c) Get maps of the area d) Talk to someone from CFA/DSE, they have great local knowledge
2. COMMUNICATION – Mobile phones; unreliable/no coverage
– Landline phone; unreliable Photo supplied by Sean Botting. – Cordless phone; if no power, it won’t work (use old plug in style phone) 6. WATER SUPPLY Pumps will not work if there is no power. – Television; with digital it has improved in some places but not in all of Reedy Creek 7. THINGS THAT MIGHT HELP Drink plenty of water, where appropriate – UHF Radio; many in the local community clothing/footwear, get a generator, metal have purchased this type of radio buckets, cloth mop, fire rake, hoses, pump, goggles/face mask, woollen blankets, wet 3. POWER SUPPLY towels, camping stove, gas bottle, fuel for Can be unreliable at times, during the fires generator, windup torch/radio, battery operated some in the community had no electricity torch/radio, miners torch(head). Remember to from 3 days to 12 days, some others in the look after the animals/stock/native wildlife. community were without power for longer. 8. Please keep in mind that you can join your 4. CFA Information Sessions local CFA as a volunteer fire fighter or These information sessions are very important doing other tasks as there are other roles to attend as these people know our area and with CFA besides fighting fires available. it’s a great time to ask questions. Karen and Phil would like to thank all who helped 5. PLAN with this valuable contribution to our community. Clean up and prepare your property/stay or go/leave early. — Reedy Creek Community.
Reedy Creek Bridge, Mt Disappointment Photos supplied by Matthew Zanini. Stairs leading up to toilet block.
Written by Karen Zanini and Phil Searle. Edited by Zoe Collings and Angus Brebner. 23 Community Advisory Groups In MitchelL Shire
Kilmore East
“Isn’t Hindsight a wonderful thing?” I think the biggest surprise to us was how quickly the fire grew – the photos included were taken only 30 minutes apart and are of the same fire – I promise!
What went wrong on the February 7, 2009:
The power went out just after 11am which rendered the water pressure nil (tank water), the phones dead (portable sets), no fans or A/C (so we closed curtains to keep the air cool);
Our fire plan was negligible as we had always thought it will never happen to us - we live in a cleared area surrounded by paddocks – we do not live in bush, but in farmland;
We hauled out the generator, pulled the rope cord to start it, and the rope broke! We changed the tank valves to open up the These photos were supplied by Carol Pullar. large tank up the hill – to provide gravity fed water pressure for the hoses – hardly any water came out – must have been an air lock We were one of the lucky ones – a fire brigade somewhere – no time to find out; truck sat on our front lawn and poured water over our house as the fire front passed (and I couldn’t find the secure carry box for the cat, saved it!) – they threw logs, chairs, a burning so she was put into a carry bag – in the car hammock cloth, a table, a BBQ gas tank and she opened said bag, and escaped the car several other items away from the house as we just before we evacuated – she was amazingly had failed to clear them properly. found 4 months later; Ever heard the saying: “If only I knew then, We heard about the fire through a phone call what I know now…” Or “In hindsight...”; “In from a neighbour asking about the smoke – we retrospect...”; “No one ever told me...”; I never had to open our curtains to see it; thought of doing that...”; “Oh... If I’d known that...” We hadn’t packed the car, so scurried around picking up important items – I thought I’d left All of these go through your head after a disaster, my purse/handbag behind (found it 2 days later and when you’re setting up for next year’s fire in the back of the car under stuff); season after experiencing a bushfire. I packed computers, passports, documents, So this is the benefit of our hindsight - the things photos, and mementos, and completely forgot we now do that we didn’t know to do before. a change of clothes or toiletries etc; Please read it and please take notice. We evacuated within half an hour of the 1st warning, and were unable to return for over The other old saying “It won’t happen to us” no 24hrs – longer applies, everyone is vulnerable.
24 Written by Carol Pullar. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Community Advisory Groups In MitchelL Shire
Our list now includes: Set aside animal boxes, spare leads, bedding, food and water bottles; • Offsite storage of computer backup – portable hard drive – updated weekly; Run through and check our now extensive fire plan to make sure nothing else needs to be • All photos have been scanned and saved on our added; computer and on memory sticks which are now stored at relatives’ homes (updated monthly); From Cup Weekend through to • Digital photos have been taken of the contents of each room of the house, inside sheds and the end of April: outside to show equipment, tools, furniture etc Each month and as soon as each Fire Danger Day (including close ups of book shelves, CD’s, is declared we: DVD’s etc – a memory aid for insurance (stored on photo memory stick); Run through the fire plan; • Passports, certificates, policies and important Start and run all equipment for several minutes, documents are now stored permanently in a check hoses etc; lock box – to be taken in case of evacuation (and Check around the house and walk the property scanned into computer where possible); to confirm all is clear and as safe as can be; • Include some cash (a couple of hundred if Check and change packing of evacuation possible) in the lock box; boxes as needed. • Spare phone plugged into phone point – works without power; On High Fire Danger Days we • New fire fighting trailer with 2nd generator and also: water cartage; If inside out of heat, we go outside every 20mins • All plastic piping from tanks/plumbing where and patrol around the house checking horizon, possible is now under ground; and status of area; • Purchase and fill as many water storage tanks Animals/Pets are kept within easy collection as you can afford, and for which you have room – our cat is not allowed outside. – with fire truck access (and let them know where they are). There are of course many other things on our fire plan and lots more things that you need to do. The most important is to have a fire plan that suits you Each Year in Early October: – walk through every room, and around the house/ garden/property and think about what is important Our fire fighting equipment is serviced – to you, what you can do to make it more secure/ including portable generator, chainsaws, fire safe during a high fire danger day – ask the local trailer (bought after the bushfire) etc; Fire Brigade to visit and give advice if you’re not sure. If you are planning to evacuate early – go to We clear and put well away from the house all firewood; a coffee shop today - sit down and list everything in and around your home – can you do it? If not, start Carry out a general and thorough clean up taking photos and making lists – even a house fire around the house – leaves, debris, branches, could leave you with only the clothes on your back. storing equipment, tools, plants/pots etc; Please Stay prepared and Stay Safe. Test equipment, hoses etc to ensure no repairs are required;
Pack the evacuation boxes, check documents, set aside clothes etc;
Written by Carol Pullar. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 25 Report from CFA
Broadford Urban Fire Brigade The Broadford Fire Brigade was first registered on the 13th October 1947, with a wooden shed on the existing premises at the corner of Hamilton and Ferguson Streets in Broadford. The first Captain was the local Police Constable and the first fire truck didn’t even carry water! Fast forward to 2010, where the Broadford Urban Fire Brigade is a progressive and community focused organisation which has constantly strived Photo supplied by Newspaper House. to provide a first class emergency service to the local community and beyond. such as the annual “Santa Run”. Members train The Brigade currently has 54 officially registered weekly, have social outings monthly and use the volunteer members, with 40 of those categorised quieter winter months to update equipment and as active firefighters. The youngest member is 16 attend CFA training activities. years old, the oldest is 71, with an average age Over the years, the Brigade has participated in across all members of 40 years. CFA supplies the many large scale fires, such as the Alpine fires in the Brigade with a Hino 4WD 3,000L Tanker, a Hino North East of 2003 and 2006, the local Glenaroua 816 1200L Light Pumper and the Brigade has fire in 2002 and of course, Black Saturday last undertaken significant fundraising to be able to year. Given the Kilmore East fire started a mere purchase an Isuzu 4WD 3,000L Tanker, a 2004 6 kilometres from the Broadford Fire Station, Landcruiser Station Wagon and a catering trailer Tanker 1 was on scene within minutes. The fire with coolroom. Hence, the original butterfly roofed was already unstoppable so the Brigade travelled station (built in 1958 and now one of only two left in to Wandong to protect houses and the crew Victoria) is too small to house all of this equipment, endured a horrific six hours. By dinner time that as it was only built for two vehicles. A further two evening, other members waiting at the station (in sheds have been built for the other appliances, case another fire started elsewhere in the area that and the Brigade hopes that a new Station will be would have required the second tanker) got word built in Broadford within the next 10 years. that the fire was coming back to Broadford. With no The brigade typically responds to an average 141 resources initially available to come and help (they emergency calls annually both in a primary and had all followed the main fires towards Whittlesea support capacity. These calls vary from grass fires and Kinglake), Broadford Fire Brigade members to structural fires, from motor accidents to rescues, were facing the impossible task of trying to protect from gas leaks to wash aways – and everything the town with the pumper and the Brigade-owned in between. With the influx of new members since Tanker. Thankfully, our friends in the MFB sent a Black Saturday, emergency calls these days get strike team of five pumpers to Broadford in time a great response from members, with an average and together with a slight wind change at just the 12 members attending the Station – more than right time, little damage was done to the Broadford enough to crew all Broadford appliances. township. Over the next week, crews were on day and night shifts helping to black out the fires, make The Brigade is a close knit group, with positions of sites safe and provide necessary reassurance authority, such as Captain and Lieutenants, voted to residents who had suffered. The Broadford in every two years. Brigade members are active Fire Station became the catering hub of the local within the community through activities such as area, with community members assisting Brigade FEM (Fire Equipment Maintenance), Brigades In members with meals, handling of donations, and Schools, community education programs (such as communication to the community. It was a traumatic to the Senior Citizens Club and the Probus Club) period for many but for the Brigade, the feeling of as well as various public community service events community togetherness has never been greater.
26 Written by Tracey Mallett. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. The Aftershock
Straight after the bushfires of Black Saturday went through, the people who lost everything or were closely involved with dealing with the fires, went into a state of shock. This is to be expected as their world had just been turned upside down. The initial aftershock can last for weeks or even months.
After this shock starts to wear off, the people who lost everything go into a state of adrenaline. While they are going through this stage they might be Photo supplied by Concetta la Marchesina. very task oriented and just want to get things done. This state of adrenaline can last for months. to have a good frame of mind, and be prepared that you might find these days harder to deal with After the bushfire has happened, you need to than any other days. You need to make sure that understand that everyone will most likely deal with you think logically about things, i.e. fog in winter or it in a different way to you. You need to keep in sirens in winter won’t be a bushfire. mind that if someone is always talking about the fire and what they saw or even if someone won’t Self talk could be helpful to help you make sense of say anything about the fires at all, it most likely is what is going on. Talking to yourself about logical the way they are dealing with what happened in explanations about what is happening i.e. if it is their own way. winter and you are driving in fog say to yourself “It’s winter and this is fog, not a bushfire.” Self talk The emotions that people are feeling after this is also a good way of calming yourself down, talk event is normal for what they have been through yourself through things if you are having a hard and seen. It is a good idea to talk to people such day or are stressed. as a counsellor, parents or someone that you trust. There is no need to feel that you can’t use services It was found after the Black Saturday bushfires, that are provided such as counselling because people that thought they lost everything and didn’t these services are there for people who have been end up losing anything can find it just as hard or through a traumatic experience and being involved harder to recover from the event than the people in a bushfire or losing your house, family member who lost everything. They feel this is because or friend IS a traumatic experience. people who lose everything have some sort of guideline as to how to get back on track and have In the months and years following a bushfire, you things as they need to concentrate on, where the will need to be mentally prepared for things that ones who didn’t lose anything have nothing to might happen such as burning off, sirens, fires in guide them and they just get back to “normal” life. the winter time, fog and stuff that might bring back So keep in mind, even if someone didn’t lose their memories of what happened. It would be a good house and everything they owned, they might still idea to find out when these are happening and try be finding the situation hard to deal with.
Photos: (left) supplied by Newspaper House; (centre and right) supplied by Kevin Butler.
Resourced by Zoe Collings and Jared Plumbe. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 27 A year on . . . Two people were interviewed one year on from the have the expectation too, that it’s going to be great fires. They were asked to relate their experiences and that we’re going to enjoy living there because and explain how they had coped in the aftermath. it’s nicer than my old house.” One of the people was Jacqui Sims. Jacqui is the Community Development Bushfire Recovery “I remember one day I was working from home worker from the Mitchell Shire Council who lost and all of a sudden I burst into tears because I her house in the bushfires. She chose to rebuild absolutely hated the house. It was a passionate her house and has been living in it for close to thing that if I could have, I would have stabbed the six months now. The second person we talked to house. I hated it that much. I linked it back to that it about how she felt things have moved on after the wasn’t my old house, which was a home, this was bushfires was Heather Knight. Heather is a very a nice house but we couldn’t call it a home. You dedicated volunteer in this community who has have some things or objects that trigger emotions. worked with many of the people affected by the For example, a photo, it takes you back, so what fires and has a good understanding of how the I did was put photos up and after doing that, it felt fires affect the whole community. like more of a home.” This is what Jacqui had to say when asked what Jacqui was then asked about what she did and how her life was like while she was rebuilding. she lived while her new house was being built. “It was hectic, only now my life is starting to slow “I spent my time living at a neighbor’s property in a down, but something that I have realised is that caravan, with an annex. It was OK during summer my life will never go back to normal, it’s a new – the reason was you’re always outside, but in the normal. When you lose your house you literally winter it’s feral because you get on each other’s have nothing. You feel like you’re free-falling. It has nerves as well as having the cats inside all the time taken twelve months to feel like there is something – it would drive you nuts. So how people are doing solid beneath my feet because it felt like I didn’t it for a second year is just amazing. You don’t have have a leg to stand on in my life.” any personal space and physically cannot have One Year on Jacqui is now getting into a “new”, visitors because of limited amount of space etc. I normal routine from before the fires and not having would never want to do it ever again.” to deal with the added extra of rebuilding a house. This is what Heather Knight had to say when she “When we moved into the new house, you sort of was asked how she reacted to the situation:
Main Mountain Road. Photos supplied by Heather Knight. Resourced by Jessica Pickwick and Stacey Collett. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand and Angus Brebner. A year on . . .
When Heather was asked how she felt before the Were you prepared for the situation? fires started: “Yes, we had everything necessary packed but if “It was a scary time because we knew if the wind the fire had gotten there, we wouldn’t have been had changed back we were going to be next.” able to do anything more.”
She was then asked what it was like during the What was your reaction when everything around fires: you had been destroyed?
“Not knowing and waiting to see whether it was “Our house wasn’t taken but we were going to going to hit us.” be next. My reaction during the fire was one of absolute horror. I was scared, I was fearful of And finally what it was like after the fire: knowing that the fire was coming towards us. “Knowing that the fire had gone past us but We packed the car, got photos that we wanted knowing that it was threatening others.” and took them to my mother’s place in Kilmore.” We asked Heather how she felt. How will you prepare for differently for the next fire season? “Terrified, because we didn’t know what was going to happen or whether any of our friends and “Prepare a kit for all our most valuable stuff and neighbours were still with us.” have it ready to go at all times.”
Heather Knight and Brian Dove.with mops and brooms kindly donated by the Wandong-Wallan Lions Club.
Resourced by Jessica Pickwick and Stacey Collett. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand and Angus Brebner. 29 A year on . . .
Heather’s Speech
Lions Club Talk April 28th 2010 Fourteen months ago, the most dramatic event that is likely to ever affect our community occurred. I refer of course to the fires of Black Saturday. It was a day that will be indelibly etched into our collective minds, a day that ravaged and altered the landscape and a day that has changed the lives of many people. It was an event that catapulted me - and many others, into an unexpected course of activities. I’d like to share with you some of my observations and experiences from volunteering for the fire effort. There is no doubt in my mind that it was the community that held things together in the hours and days after the fire; everybody rallied to do what had to be done, without complaint or thought for themselves. One of the most amazing things to witness was the networking between groups and individuals; the level of co-operation over many months was sensational. This has been the most incredible community effort we will probably see in our lifetime. In the first couple of days, people who had lost homes simply needed the basics of life: somewhere to sleep, food and clothes. They depended on others to get by. It’s a very disempowering experience to depend on others for your existence and to have decisions made for you. For many people the idea of accepting aid is foreign and abhorrent to them. Several have expressed to me that they felt like beggars and it just felt wrong to accept anything even though they understood the sentiments behind the donations. Going to relief centres was at times degrading, embarrassing and disempowering. It is my experience that the majority of those affected by the fire did not ask for more than they needed and were often reluctant to ask for anything at all. In the first week after the fire, a bushfire relief fund was established by Mitchell Community Health Services to assist those affected by the fires in the Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires. The money donated to the fund came mostly from individuals, sporting groups, schools and businesses in Mitchell Shire who wanted to help local people rather than donate to the larger funds. My part, as a volunteer, was to purchase goods with funds from the bushfire relief fund and deliver them. Initially I delivered to the Wallan and Wandong Recovery Centres. However, not everyone visited the Relief or Recovery Centres. One problem was actually finding the people in need. There was a great displacement of the community; many people had to move to other towns or to Melbourne to find temporary accommodation. How to help people if you cannot find them? I discovered that if I drove around the burnt areas, especially on weekends, I would find the owners, particularly the men, working on their blocks. With my station wagon packed to the hilt with tools and other practical items, I drove around seeking out those living in vans and sheds or working on their properties on weekends. By doing this I found many of those who would not go to the Recovery Centres, who missed out, were too proud to accept donations or simply did not have the time to go. One of the most requested items were wheelbarrows – I lost count after 200. While in temporary accommodation, you need somewhere to store your possessions. By far the most useful and sought after item was the plastic storage tub which could be used for anything but was particularly useful for food, cooking utensils, dog food or clothes. They kept out the dust, rain and mice and could be stacked to save space.
30 Written by Heather Knight. A year on . . .
Some people required books such as dictionaries, atlases or gardening books. Favourite cookbooks and address books, especially at Christmas time, were greatly missed. Later, there was a requirement for fencing tools, electric tools, kitchen appliances and utensils, concreting tools, extension cords, basic furniture such as chests of drawers and household and fire pumps. At fourteen months I know of seventeen families in the Clonbinane, Wandong and Upper Plenty area that have moved to new houses on their properties. That’s 17 out of approximately 170 homes lost in Mitchell Shire. Some have purchased elsewhere and there are quite a few currently building. Many others are still at the planning stage or haven’t even begun to plan yet. When they move to their new homes, then, and only then will they be ready for household goods. It is not well appreciated that those who have lost homes and are living in temporary accommodation have very little storage space. It is often pointless to give furniture, clothing or any household goods that they don’t need immediately because they simply do not have anywhere to store things. In many cases goods and furniture will not be needed until families are resettled in their new homes and that could be 12 months to 2 years after the fire. The need for assistance goes on and will do so for probably another year. The work does not stop once a new home is built. Everyone affected by the fire is now exhausted. They work all day at their jobs and then come home and spend every hour of daylight working on their properties and they have done this continuously for the past 14 months. There are fences, driveways, gardens, and sheds to rebuild and it will never be the same as it was before. I have never seen such hard workers. I also see others that are not achieving because the task is so overwhelming. Unfortunately, building or buying a new house is not the happy ever after ending we would hope for. It is not exciting to build a new house when it was not your choice to do so or when you loved the home you had. Without all your familiar personal things around you, a new house feels like a motel or a display home. It’s a “house” not a “home”. Another problem is continually discovering things that you have lost. On the day of the fire my friend managed to randomly rescue some photographs but to this day hasn’t had the courage to go through them and discover what she didn’t take and what she lost. The fire of Black Saturday has also had a good effect on the community. It saw thelocal community rally; it brought out the incredible compassion and generosity of many people; it brought home the realisation that they actually had a community and the great value of it. It has brought neighbours together for the first time and helped to foster new friendships. Many people have reviewed their lifestyles or life values. There is a name for all of this; it is called “post traumatic benefits”. For 14 months now I’ve been talking to and helping people who have been affected by the fire. It has been my privilege to have met some of the hardest working, creative and practical people imaginable. I have grown to admire their tenacity, spirit and courage and their determination to make a future for themselves and their families. I have listened to their stories, shared a tear, a hug and a laugh with them; I have felt their pain and their joys and shared in their journey to recovery. Volunteering for the fire effort has undoubtedly been life changing. It has been themost humbling, rewarding and powerful experience of my life.
Written by Heather Knight. 31 Bushfires and Young Children
Bushfires can be a cause of major trauma to children as well as adults. Research on children who have been directly affected by bushfires shows that some children experience emotional distress for a long time after the bushfire. This can be related to the experience of having to leave their homes, fears about their parents’ safety and fears about the future as well as actual experience of the fire. Some children who are distressed don’t share this with their parents as they don’t want to worry them, so it is important for parents and carers to be aware of the other ways that children show their feelings. If children who show signs of stress don’t get support and understanding and appropriate reassurance at an early stage, the emotional effects of the bushfire can continue over many months. It is important to remember also that sometimes children can seem to be coping well at first but stress reactions can come later.
Photo supplied by Zoe Collings. Impact of bushfire on children The impact of a bushfire on children will depend Note: Being apart from parents during a bushfire on: can be very stressful for children who worry about parents’ safety. • how close the fire is to home • how the child’s parents and carers respond Children’s losses • the child’s temperament Some of the losses for children include: • whether they were apart from their parents at • loss of memories and treasured possessions the time of the fire • loss of their secure home base • family support – being apart increases anxiety • loss of support from stressed parents • how much they see on the media. Repeated and vivid images on television can confuse young • loss of friends if they have to move to a new children because it can seem like the fire is being area repeated over and over again and that they are very close, even when they are not • loss of pets • whether children have personal losses, e.g. if For young children even the loss of what seem to their home is burnt and their whole life disrupted, adults like small things, such as a special toy, can or loss of a loved pet. There is the grief related be very upsetting. Grief and loss in children may to the losses and also fears of what will happen lead to: in the future • feelings of insecurity and anxiety • the child’s age. Younger children in particular may • feelings of shock, denial, anger, fear, guilt and be affected because they don’t fully understand sadness what is happening and what they imagine may be even more frightening than the reality • loss of feelings of safety
32 Resourced by Zoe Collings. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Bushfires and young children
Grief reactions • Each child’s experience of loss is unique to that child and needs to be understood and responded Some of the ways grief is evident in children. to individually • Physical reactions, e.g. stomach aches or • Often young children will ask the same question headaches over and over again if it has important meaning • Sleeping difficulties, bad dreams, and for them nightmares • Eating problems Early years at school • Acting like a younger child • At this age some children still show signs of • Difficulties concentrating emotional stress and distress after a bushfire • Acting as if they haven’t taken in what has • Children may be starting to express their feelings happened in words and will also show it in their behaviour • Becoming easily upset and showing fears. and play • Fear of the darkness • Being mean to others or destructive Later primary school years • Being angry, irritable or aggressive Children can talk about their feelings better now but don’t always do so. Fewer children show signs of • Temper tantrums ongoing stress but some still do. As they get older • Low self esteem they are more able to understand what other people are going through as well. • Fear of loud noises, smoke or areas where the fire has been • Guilt What you can do to help • Withdrawal, loss of interest in regular activities • Even if you are very stressed yourself it is important not to lose sight of your children’s needs. The • Clinginess and fear of separation continuity of the positive family support basis is • Having trouble concentrating on school work the greatest security for children and will help them • Not wanting to go to school, running away deal with any emotional distress much better. [If a child is stressed it is not a good time to start any • Playing the same thing over and over – some other life changes which could wait, e.g. change children may seem obsessed by fire of child carer] • Crying or giggling without obvious reason • Keep as many familiar family routines as possible as too many changes can increase the stress for Pre-school children the child. Familiarity will assist children to feel safe, as will physical closeness and comfort • Impact of the loss may be greater in the early years because they don’t really understand what’s • Give clear and truthful information in a way the happening child can understand. Children need to know what is happening. It may take children longer to • Children are likely to show their grief in less direct understand what it all means, so you may need to ways than adults and because they move in and answer the same question over and over out of grief sometimes they seem OK and then suddenly this changes • Reassure children in ways that you can, e.g. that you will stay with them and protect them, that the • Children often have more needs at this time which bushfire is a long way away (if it is true), that you can lead to demanding behaviour as they try will have a place to live that will be home for them to get closeness, care, information and support and that you can keep them safe from adults. They don’t always have the words to express feelings and will show them in the way they act
Resourced by Zoe Collings. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 33 Bushfires and young children
• Adults need to maintain their adult role and not • Parents and others affected by experiences such rely on the child for support. The child needs to be as bush fires which cause loss and grief need to supported by adults. Children need to know that also make sure they have support for themselves. important people are in their lives and will be there Talk to partners, friends, relatives or agencies that for them can help support you. Try not to talk about it in front of children too often or too dramatically. Children • It is also important for others involved in the care of are very sensitive to adult feelings the child to understand what has been happening for the child and family. Children can feel supported • It is important to protect children from the media and cared for by other children and adults at child and the distressing images and stories they could care and school but these people need to know be exposed to. Parents and caregivers should first what has happened monitor all forms of media
• Allow children time to talk, ask questions and share • As soon as you can after the disaster remember worries with a caring adult. If it seems needed, that you and your children are still the same people reassure children that they are not responsible with the same strengths and interests and hopes in any way for what has happened and that they and relationships to move forward. Remember to are loved. (Sometimes children think the fire is still do some fun things together, make plans for punishment for something ‘bad’ that they have good things and work towards your own and your done or wished for) children’s future goals
• If a young child is asking lots of questions, try and • The biggest need for children who have experienced work out how this relates to his or her own life and the type of losses incurred by bushfires is to be experience, so you can respond appropriately. supported and cared for and to have someone to For example a child who may have had some talk about it with punishment may have wished that something bad would happen to the person who punished him or her, and then become very focused on risk to that Practical things person. They may feel especially guilty if something does happen to that person Often children and adults are helped to cope with situations like a bushfire if they feel they can do • Provide an encouraging environment where the something helpful for others. This might include: child feels safe to express feelings in whatever way they can. Give opportunities for children to • sending some toys or clothes to people left find ways to express their feelings through play, homeless art, writing, or stories • writing a letter of sympathy • Try to open the way for children to express their • taking part in an event to raise money for victims feelings by discussing how it is sometimes hard to talk but it can really help. Make sure there is • helping develop a family plan to prevent fires in time for this. Bedtime is often a good time. Don’t their own home pressure children to talk. If they don’t want to, you can say that you are ready to listen when they do • if their family is personally affected, having some jobs to do, appropriate to their age which are • It is important that the child’s varied expressions, helpful, such as helping clean up if it is safe feelings, behavioural reactions are accepted and understood, and there is consistency and Remember to try and keep children, especially young constancy in adult responses children, inside if the air is smoky
• Share your own feelings of grief and loss with If a child’s reactions after a trauma such as a bushfire children, as this will help them in their grieving and seem to be getting worse, or not showing signs of to understand that it is normal to have the feelings getting better after a few weeks, it is important to they are experiencing. It is important, however, get professional help. If you find that you are unable that children do not see adults too distressed, as to move forward yourself emotionally, it is also the child needs to feel that the adult is in control important to look for some professional support for and can keep them safe your own sake and your children’s.
This information was taken from this website: www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/pdf/papers/Bushfires
34 Resourced by Zoe Collings. Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Food for Thought
Stuff Happens... Parents separate; a friend moves away; a dream you had, or something you really wanted, doesn’t happen; a relationship breaks up; someone close dies; you lose something, maybe through a bushfire; life isn’t how you want it because of illness; you get bullied; you move to a new place or a new school; you have to get used to living in a blended family; you witness something traumatic; your pet dies; there’s a natural disaster like a storm, flood, earthquake or bushfire. Big changes or awful things we may have seen can turn our lives upside down – and they can. One of the main things worth remembering is that when we go through things which are pretty horrible, we all react to them in a very different way. Some people say that going through the experience of a bad bushfire, whether you’ve lost a home or someone close to you or you experienced a great deal of fear in the situation, that you sort of go through a kind Some thoughts, feelings, and reactions you have of grief. Remember – EVERYONE EXPERIENCES can: GRIEF AND TRAUMA DIFFERENTLY. • come and go – ebbing and flowing like waves There are NO “RIGHT” “WRONG” ways to experience grief or trauma. There’s NO “SECRET • come at you one at a time METHOD” that will take your grief / feelings instantly away. • crash on you all at once There are “NO RULES”. There is NO “SET • blend into each other TIMETABLE”. It isn’t a race or a competition. Grief • be brief – last for just minutes or strong feelings are normal – even if you’ve never experienced these types of feelings before. • be hard to put into words You should not feel any shame in having strong • be unexpected and scary emotions after going through a big event like a bushfire. • be totally numbing and paralysing
And it might be hard to believe, but IT DOES • be overwhelming at times and feel out of SLOWLY GET EASIER TO HANDLE. control
So, when you are facing tough times, for whatever • be delayed and hit you at a later time reason, take all the time and space you need to grieve and to get your head around what’s • challenge you and help you to learn more about happened in your own way for as long as it takes yourself – keeping yourself safe along the way. Grief or trauma is one of the most demanding Some people say that experiencing loss and human experiences, and the only way through it trauma is like being caught in a beach wave so is... through it! And it needs more energy to live huge and forceful that you can’t figure out which with than most people expect. Go bit by bit, day way is up. You’re confused, flung around all over by day, at your own pace. Your grief will help you the place and forced to catch a breath whenever gradually adjust to how life is for you now, however you can get air. much you dislike being in this situation.
Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 35 Food for thought
How Your Body Reacts
Physical reactions can include experiencing:
• heart pounding • aching limbs and tense muscles • nervous laughter • shouting – yelling – screaming • feeling cold – or very hot • sleeping a lot or unable to • feeling immensely strong and sleep energised • agitated – hard to sit stil • tight chest – shallow breathing – sighing a lot • tiredness - exhaustion • dehydration – dry mouth and • unable to move much – frozen lips • feeling sick – stomach or • crying – moaning headache
Thoughts running Relating to other people through your mind Social Reactions can include: Thinking reactions can include: • wanting to talk about what happened a lot • finding it hard to concentrate or remember – or not at all things • wanting to be with your friends and/or family • you can only think about what’s happened a lot • getting confused about details, like the day, • wanting to be alone – avoiding others and date or time social events • reacting slowly to questions, instructions and • wanting to be near people – wanting to always situations know where they are • asking “Why is this happening to me?’ • wanting to have hugs – or not want to • thinking that yourself or others are to blame • being preoccupied and forgetful about things people have asked you to do, and maybe • difficulty making decisions, even small ones making others grumpy because of this • deciding to keep busy so you can think about • not wanting to go to school – finding it hard something else being there and doing work • having bad dreams or nightmares • being more irritable or angry at others – getting • thinking negatively about yourself – poor self- into arguments or fights esteem • saying or doing things that hurt others, without • thinking about what bad thing might happen really meaning to next • taking risks with others to block out the strong • feeling it’s all too hard – possibly having very feelings you have, such as drinking, drugs, negative or suicidal thoughts. If you do, make speeding, unsafe sex or gambling sure you tell an adult you trust about these • giving up on social things that have mattered thoughts as soon as possible before, like team commitment
36 Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Food for thought
Letting it out and getting it out You could PLAY: • hang out and have fun with friends We’re all different. Some of us find openly expressing – or your family ourselves easy – others find it very hard. It can help to find ways that suit who you are, because expressing how • watch your favourite DVD you think and feel can release a lot of tension inside. • tell jokes When things keep building up inside, things can end up • laugh when you can worse for us, not better. We can be like a pot of boiling water with the lid left on. The steam builds up and the • fly a kite water finally boils over and blows its top! In other words, • cook something we can end up emotionally overflowing or exploding. great and eat it • swing and slide at the park • play with kids – they’ll help you play You could try WORDS: • talk to someone you trust • email, text or phone a friend You could get CREATIVE: • write someone a letter – even if you don’t send it • chat or post something on the internet • make music – start a blog • drum • go into a field or up a hill and shout it all out • make a DVD, or record onto a CD • write in a journal or a diary • sing your heart out – wherever – try the • write words for a song shower or in the bath • record an audio diary • design a website • write a play • dance – at home, at a party, at a dance class • write a poem, story, article, speech, or book • choreograph • create a mural or a collage • sculpt • draw, sketch or paint You could get PHYSICAL: • build something • play a sport, throw or kick a ball, trampoline, or throw a frisbee • plant a tree • run, walk, swim, dance, go climbing, • create a garden go bushwalking • take photos • go to a gym • make a photo board • breathe deeply • make a special piece of jewellery • cry if you need to • make a memory book or memory box • stretch • hit a pillow • yell and kick empty boxes • clean your room out, mow lawns, wash the car
Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 37 Food for thought
How talking can help: Who would you be able to talk to? Many young people say that talking things out with someone trusted can help you: Maybe: — sort out your thoughts and feelings • none or both of your parents
— put things into perspective and see • a grandparent things in a new way • a cousin — feel heaps better – it can be a big relief • a close friend
— to get the spinning thoughts out of your • a big sister or brother head. • an aunt or uncle • a good family friend or neighbour • a teacher And it can give you: • a youth leader • some ideas or options you hadn’t even • a school counsellor or community counsellor thought of • a social worker • help to deal with things – you don’t have to feel it’s just your problem anymore • a minister or faith leader – someone else cares • an elder • support – you feel less alone • another trusted adult • someone to talk things over with at other • OR PHONE KIDS HELPLINE FREE times as well, if you need to on 1800 55 1800 or visit their website at: • help to find more help or information, if www.kidshelp.com.au/teens you need it
But what if i just can’t Finding who you can talk about it? talk to . . . Here’s what some young people suggest: You can choose who to talk to. Some young • try writing a letter, email or a note to someone people have said they look for someone who: • take a friend with you to support you when you go to talk things out with an adult • is a good listener, understands your situation and is supportive • choose the time that suits you, when you’re feeling like talking • can keep things confidential • talking on the phone or texting is easier for some • is honest with you people than talking face to face • you respect • make a list of the key things you want to say, or the • won’t criticise or judge you key questions you want to ask • you like • write down what you want to say and read it to the person – that can help you get started • you can trust • it’s helpful to know that, once you’ve broken the ice and started to talk about things, it can get easier to keep on going • don’t give up. Try again... and again... till you find the right time and the right person to listen
38 Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Food for thought
Keeping safe . . . Looking after yourself . . . In tough times, it can be easier to get into risky Tough times – hard times. They’re called that because stuff to try and forget your situation, or escape they are tough on you – and they are hard on you! If you the awful feelings and pain you’re feeling. don’t find ways to look after yourself in hard times, things You’ll already know that these things can end can get even tougher. up making your situation worse for you, or for others. Here are some examples: Here are ideas from young people who’ve faced tough situations:
• drinking more Don’t let a day go by without looking after yourself, • smoking more even in small ways. • using drugs more, using new drugs • eat good food, drink water and get good sleep • speeding, dangerous driving every day • increased sexual activity, including • take time to do nothing – rest when you need to unsafe sex, pornography • get some exercise when you can • gambling • give yourself permission to feel whatever you feel • being more aggressive or violent • forgive yourself – don’t expect too much of yourself • vandalism, crime • hang out with good friends – keep connected with • withdrawing from people – even those people closest to you • spend time with people you know really care about • staying out to avoid your family you • wagging school • be with yourself for a while • not eating/overeating • give yourself all the time you need to get through this • running away from home • wear your favourite clothes • harming yourself deliberately • go to a movie • not caring what happens to you or anybody else – blocking out your • laugh when you can feelings • remember it’s OK to still have good times in the • having suicidal thoughts middle of hard times • listen to music you like If things like these are happening or getting out • take some long, slow, deep breaths and relax of hand for you, you are putting your safety at • read the stuff you really like risk and may be putting others at risk too. It’s a sign that you need to stop and think and begin • do the things that make you happy – do what you to make better choices to keep yourself safe enjoy – and others safe too. You, or someone you • call or text or email a friend – old or new know, might need some extra help and support to do this. • go to the beach or walk in the bush – get out into nature • find quiet places where you can chill out • make something creative • get a massage • bake your favourite things – cook your favourite meal • visit or stay with a friend for a while
Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 39 Food for thought
Will I ever feel ok again? How long will this last?
Getting through tough times is this may take a long time. The intensity of what you’re different for everyone. We each However long it takes, that’s feeling and experiencing will have different circumstances, how long it’s going to be for you. decrease. Feeling better again personalities, families, histories Often we underestimate the usually happens slowly, often and experiences. It’s helpful to time we really need to adjust to without you even being aware remember that all these feelings big changes in our lives. of it. You might start to realise in itself is a healing process. Bit things aren’t feeling quite as by bit, it helps us to adjust to Gradually, you may start to feel rough for you as they were what has happened. For some, more OK than you did before. before.
Ignoring your feelings... • becoming aggressive or violent • seeking escape in addictions – in alcohol, drugs, When tough stuff happens, you sometimes feel numb sex, food... – like you just cannot connect with what has happened. This delay is a natural part of adjusting to things, • seeking escape by working hard, for long hours especially if it has been a shock. But when you’re • finding you avoid decisions, especially about your ready, beginning to grieve and sort yourself out in your future, as you fear what could happen own way will help you come to terms with what has happened. • developing serious depression • feeling suicidal If you actively try to ignore your grief or feelings for a long time, it can have a significant effect on your life. Denying your real thoughts and feelings, and hiding Doctors, counsellors, researchers and those who’ve them from others, also means you aren’t able to get ‘been there’ recognise that these awful feelings buried the support from people who can help you through the inside you need to find a way out somehow. But it’s tough times. We all need support from others at times the healthy thing to do, in your own time and in your – and when you accept support from others now, you’ll own way. Be aware of some of the ways buried feelings be able to better offer support to others yourself in the and grief can affect you at any time in your life. The future. following effects aren’t caused only by buried feelings or grief. Other life issues can cause them too. ASKING FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT ISN’T A WEAKNESS — IT’S A STRENGTH. For example, effects of buried grief or feelings can include: • becoming ill Things people say that don’t help! • feeling you don’t care about anything and everything Often when people don’t know what to say, they • having very low energy levels, being unable to might end up saying something that doesn’t help involve yourself in things – even though they don’t mean to. Those comments • experiencing great anxiety or fears can make you angry, or hurt you, or make you feel awkward or uncomfortable: • having very low self-esteem – “You’ll get over it.” (Jake, aged 12) • feeling really bad about yourself – “At least, now you have a reason if you fail your • experiencing huge anger – often overwhelming exams.” (Maree, aged 14) • being unable to enjoy things – feeling negative and – “Yeah, I know exactly how you feel.” pessimistic about life (Annie, aged 13) • having poor relationships with other people – losing – “It hurts me when I tell people, and they say I’m friends, losing jobs, getting into arguments or fights lying or that it didn’t happen, and that I’m just • having difficulties at school or in your workplace making it up to get attention.” (Rose, aged 16) – either in your behaviour, or the quality of your work – “Just forget about it.” (Stephen, aged 15)
40 Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Food for thought
– “What’s the problem? Just toughen up.” Responding to unhelpful (Simon, aged 17) comments... – “You think too much.” (Alex, aged 12) – “You take life too seriously. Just lighten up.” People often feel uncomfortable around someone (Mike, aged 16) who is going through a rough time. They don’t want to make a mistake and say the wrong thing and – “You’re not the only one with problems, you know. make you feel worse. Mostly, people genuinely Stop thinking about yourself all the time.” try to be helpful. Accept that some people just (Sandra, aged 17) won’t ‘get it’. Forgive their lack of understanding – “Come on, be brave. Be strong for your little sister. and find those who do understand. You’re too old to cry. She’ll get upset if she sees you crying too.” (Warwick, aged 17) • Expect people to sometimes not know – “Don’t be silly. You’re overreacting.” (Liz, aged 15) what to say. They might say something – “You just have to pull yourself together.” unhelpful without meaning to – or because (Michelle, aged 15) they’re just thoughtless. If you expect it to – “You know, most people have worse problems.” happen from time to time, then maybe it (Geoff, aged 14) won’t wind you up so much – “Sometimes people try and turn it round, to be similar • Have something ready to say for moments to their own experiences. It feels like they are trying to belittle your problems or make them seem less just like that. Such as, ‘I don’t want to important.” (Stacey, aged 13) talk about it thanks’ or ‘ Thanks, but it’s – “Being told by people that they knew what I was personal.’ You could try ‘I don’t agree with going through. People telling me to just buckle up and that but I realise that’s just your opinion” or “ everything would be alright.” (Kate, aged 16) Please give me a break! I’m only human!” – “Friends who avoided talking about the issue or, when • You could tell them honestly that what they I started to talk, quickly changed the subject.” said was hurtful – or made you mad – and (Jarrod, aged 15) say why – “When people tippy-toe around you and avoid the issue. It’s not like I’ve forgotten. People shouldn’t • Laugh pretend you have.” (Kathy, aged 14) • Change the subject – “People who would gossip about you after you had confided in them. It just adds more stress to an • Walk away already stressed situation.” (Monica, aged 16)
How do I know if I need some extra help?
Does this sound like you? Maybe you just feel you’d like some extra support might be unsafe sex or doing things you some help to figure out what’s helpful. may regret. You might need a happening in your life and how hand to get past that stuff and best to get through it. Or perhaps you might find move forward in more positive yourself incredibly angry a lot – ways. Maybe so far you can’t find even aggressive or violent – and anyone you trust enough to talk you have trouble controlling it. Or you might be depressed. to, and you’d like to. Intense feelings of sadness and Or you might be finding hopelessness just aren’t lifting. You might be finding that other yourself escaping in ways that people might be saying they’re aren’t safe – that put you at Possibly you may even be concerned about you regularly. risk – such as getting heavily having thoughts about harming You’re wondering if getting into alcohol, drugs, engaging in yourself or even of suicide...
Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 41 Food for thought
If this sounds like you, read on . . . Other websites to check out: These sites offer info and support around a range of young people’s life issues, and will How do I find some usually have links to other sites too: extra help? www.headspace.org.au These are just some more ideas which you may consider: Headspace provides mental health and wellbeing support, information and services for • At your school use the student welfare young people across Australia. support available to you – peer support, the school nurse, the student welfare coordinators www.likeitis.org.au available or a teacher you connect with Information and advice for young people on • See your GP. Visit the Better Health website sexual health, drug use, bullying, self-esteem at: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcsite. and relationships. nsf/pages/service_directory?opendocument to find a GP nearest to you www.ysas.org.au YSAS (Youth Substance Abuse Service) provides • Arrange to see a counsellor in your local a range of services and supports for young community. This can be done by getting a people aged 12 to 21 who are experiencing referral from your GP problems with drugs or alcohol. • For information about the youth support services and youth organisations in your area, www.vicdrugguide.org.au/about.php visit the Youth Central website at: Information for drug and alcohol users who www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au need support, information or advice. Includes • In your workplace, ask if there is an employee a directory of drug and alcohol support service assistance program that may be available to providers in Victoria. support you www.thatsnotcool.com • For depression support and information, visit If you feel like you, or someone you know, might the Beyond Blue website at: be in an abusive relationship, this site gives www.beyondblue.org.au good info and practical advice and ideas. • Phone Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Kids Helpline www.sane.org/information/information also offers web counselling. Podcasts and fact sheets on the SANE Australia For more information visit their website at: website provide easy to understand information www.kidshelp.com.au about a range of physical and mental health • Phone Lifeline on 131114 or visit their website problems. at: www.lifeline.org.au www.skylight.org.nz/young-people.aspx • If you are in a real emergency, call the Skylight’s info pages for young people who are emergency services for help on 000 grieving and facing tough times.
www.eatingdisorders.org.au Support, info, community education and advocacy for people with eating disorders.
www.youth.csa.gov.au A guide for young people who are experiencing family separation.
Excerpts taken from “The Journey Through. Ideas For Getting Through Tough Times . . .”; Published by Skylight. Website www.skylight.org.nz
42 Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. Editorial Committee
Ashley Hillebrand Angus Brebner Zoe Collings Stuart Moir Jess Pickwick Jared Plumbe
Thank you to the following people and organisations:
● VBRRA (Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction ● MCRAG – Mitchell Community Recovery and Recovery Authority) Action Group
● Ben Hardman (State Member for Seymour) ■ Wandong/Heathcote – Robin Mifsud Junction CAG – Kristy Cesaria ● Mitchell Shire Council – Jacqui Sims ■ – Kelisha Dalton Broadford CAG – Ros Affleck – Lisa Linton – Sue Sedawie – Joanne Stubbings ■ Upper Plenty CAG – Hayley Day – Alison Holmberg ● Heather Knight ■ Kilmore East CAG – Carol Pullar ● CFA ■ Clonbinane CAG – Lew Soulsby ● Tracey Mallett ■ Reedy Creek CAG – Karen Zanini ● Narelle – Wildlife Rescue – Phil Searle
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning – Class 2010
Rachael Axen; Jamie Biagioni; Luke Bulger;Stacey Collett; Joel Ramsay; Andrew Fontana; Erin Galea; Jeremy Grant; Jessica Lewis; Billy Lewis; Heather Limbrick; Aaron Nickson; Cheryl Palmateer; Codey Phillips; Nathen Sims; Daniel Thomson; Josh Wheeler.
Edited by Ashley Hillebrand. 43 This booklet is to help teenagers prepare for bushfire seasons each year.
It has been designed to provide information on how to help teens and how they can help their parents out during a fire, to stay calm and not make situations more stressful than they already are, and what they can take if the family needs to evacuate.
It will also give you some information you will need on how to deal with pets and livestock and how to keep them safe, how to keep your younger siblings calm and under control during an evacuation, and the best way to cope with the aftermath of the events.
We hope that it is informative, useful and relevant and that you will use this guide each year as part of your yearly preparations for the summer bushfire season.