One year on - recovery after disaster

from w
It is one year on from the Black Saturday bushfire disaster in Victoria that created chaos in seventy-eight communities with a massive loss of life and property. Nature started renewal fairly quickly with new leaves on the trunks of trees and ferns and even flowers emerging from the blackened soil. Many people still have terrible memories of that day, losing family members under horrific circumstances. Some people grieved alone, others were upheld by compassion and help from a community. Today there will be many religious services to help people move on, to know there is God alongside them in their suffering and the importance of community.

From the Herald Sun:
VICTORIANS will pause and remember Black Saturday, one year after the devastating bushfires that changed Victoria forever. A minute's silence will be held at noon out of respect for the 173 people who were killed. In the 78 communities directly affected by the fires, locals will hold low-key ceremonies to mark the first anniversary. Some will plant trees. Others will gather at churches to say prayers. Some will come together for barbecues, games of cricket and companionship to ease the hurt of this milestone. In Melbourne, a service at St Paul's Cathedral at noon is open to the public and will be an opportunity for Victorians to show solidarity for survivors still grieving.

The anniversary will also be a chance to reflect on the selfless heroics of the CFA volunteers who fought desperately to save homes and lives. Bushfire recovery chief Christine Nixon said many heroes had emerged from the tragedy, including police and firefighters, and the residents who stayed and fought for their communities, during and after the fires.
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How do people cope with sudden dramatic change and overwhelming grief? Sometimes when a person is extremely ill there is time to plan, to make adjustments, but when death of a friend or family member is sudden, the grief can be even more difficult. Some people seem courageous and manage fairly well, others just drop their bundles. Mostly though, with the support and compassion of friends, church, family, the process of recovery occurs. I know from personal experience, that a family loss nearly ten years ago opened up a whole new way of seeing other people who started telling me stories of loss in their own experiences.

After the fires, some families never went back to the burnt out area, but others started rebuilding their homes, fences, gardens, paddocks. One gentleman who lost his wife and child, met his new partner during the recovery process after the fires.I think that a bushfire, tragedy, and then recovery in the landscape, and by people coping and moving on, is a parable to us of life, that there is hope even after huge grief.

The terrible fires

from w
Yesterday was a tragedy for so many people with fires similar to the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983. Now the stories are coming out and probably up to forty people have died, towns demolished, properties burnt, forests gone. Some of our friends can't get through on the phone-line to relatives who have been in the fire areas and the wait is terrible for them. Go to this site for stories and photos.

(Later - Monday morning)
Though the weather is cooler, over thirty fires continue to burn throughout Victoria. Tragic news keeps coming through of more bodies found in cars and destroyed homes. The volunteer firefighters are certainly heroes, also the Red Cross, and police with the difficult ongoing tasks. The ABC radio 774 has reports all day to assist people.

Here is an update from the Age newspaper;
Bushfire toll climbs as crews battle blazes across Victoria
February 9, 2009 - 6:28AM

The death toll in the Victorian bushfires has risen to 108, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) says.Firefighters have worked through the night to battle dozens of fires that continue to burn across the state. There were 31 active fires across Victoria as of 5.30am, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) said.

At least 750 homes have been destroyed and more than 330,000 hectares burnt out, while authorities said some fires could take weeks to contain.

The DSE and CFA said the fire causing greatest concern is near Beechworth, in the state's northeast. The blaze has burnt 30,000 hectares and continues to threaten the communities of Stanley, Bruarong, Dederang, Gundowring, Gundowring Upper, Kancoona, Kancoona South, Coral Bank, Glenn Creek and Running Creek.

The fire front has crossed the Yackandandah-Dederang Rd into the Mt Big Ben area, a joint DSE and CFA statement said.

The latest death toll, announced by the DSE at 6am this morning, surpasses the toll from the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, in which 75 people died in Victoria and South Australia, and the Black Friday bushfires of 1939, which killed 71.
etc.

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How you can help:

TELEPHONE lines in fire damaged areas have been destroyed and mobile phone networks are vital for emergency services to remain in contact with other groups. Residents should refrain from calling people in the bushfire zones on mobile phones.

BLOOD donations will be needed to help burns victims. To donate call the Red Cross Blood Bank on 131 495.

EVACUATION centres are recording the names and addresses of everyone who comes through the doors. To search for missing family and friends call 1800 727 077.

RED Cross is co- ordinating donations of household and personal items for those affected by the fires.

CASH donations can be made at Geelong's Town Hall.

PET food and supplies can be donated at the RSPCA.(though I don't think you need to donate gum leaves for Sam, who trod on a floor of embers to escape the bushfires. He was rescued near Mirboo North Gippsland and got help at the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter in Rawson.)