I HAD written this while seated in the wonderfully restored historic pavilion at Kempsey Showground:
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Telstra has thoughtfully made available this computer for use by the refugees whose homes and livestock are menaced by the ring of bushfires threatening properties in the shire. There are about 400 of us at this rescue centre, together with the animals we have managed to save, including splendid Arabian horses, about 100 dogs, as well as cats, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens and other animals whose sounds I have heard in the night but not yet identified.
A close cameraderie has been established between those living in caravans and tents (to be close to their animals) and those opting to be housed in dormitories (often with their cats, small dogs and caged pet parrots clandestinely perched among the beds and bedding).
A team of Salvation Army volunteers is providing us with nourishing meals and round the clock access to tea and coffee. To vary this diet, the West Kempsey Hotel and the RSL Club have made available dinner vouchers, and piles of Domino pizzas have been a welcome addition. In case all this fare proves to be too rich, St. John's Ambulance volunteers hover nearby.
The strident sounds of a siren last Saturday had warned residents of Bellbrook to immediately evacuate the tiny town, but it was with reluctance that we took one last look at our homes and (in some cases) abandoned animals and drove to Kempsey Showground (together with a police escort and a convoy of about 20 cars loaded with pets and memorabilia). Here we were registered by Red Cross Disaster. Donated mattresses, pillows, blankets and towels had been prepared by an army of volunteers and were both clean and comfortable.
Local Land Services Animal Welfare volunteers have shown utter dedication in providing huge quantities of hay and bags of feed to those animals in need. Alongside boxes of dog leads and pet collars were stacks of bird cages and cat baskets, many of them donated by thoughtful members of the public.
In the matter of donations, there has been a constant cavalcade of mattresses and bedding, towels, electrical goods, toiletries, even perfumes; (I had a choice of 'Evening in Paris' or 'Sex in the City') and from among the huge piles of clothing I could have chosen a different outfit for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But I wasn't tempted by either.
Like all of the inhabitants of this temporary rescue centre, I want to be back in my own home with the animals I had to leave behind. But I must be patient for a couple of more days, until conditions along Armidale Rd have improved
My sympathies go to all those who have lost their homes and livestock in these disastrous fires.
Praise is due to all those volunteers who have given their services so efficiently and cheerfully during this trying time, and to all those kind people in the shire who have donated so generously.
