Once again our community has been called on to help out in times of great need. And once again it has done so without even blinking.
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The devastation at Tathra with many of our friends and family losing their homes and belongings in Sunday’s bushfire is a real tragedy. But like in all tragedies – and Tathra has sadly known much more than its fair share – the community has rallied.
No sooner had the call gone out on our social media that the Bega evac centre could do with some blankets and towels that people with carfuls began showing up. Tables were quickly overflowing with donations of clothes, linen, sleeping bags, mattresses, toiletries and even plenty of kids’ toys.
It was a beautiful and heart-warming – if a little chaotic – scene.
Equally encouraging and just as important was the work of countless volunteers who all leaped into action to get the evacuation centre up and running so quickly. That was not without its teething problems, but entirely understandable given how many agencies were lending a hand in time of need. With a flood of Tathra residents arriving at the Bega Showground, it was initially a matter of getting help as and when you could, and grabbing some water and some dinner.
I saw Kylie Cullinan, representing the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, taking charge, bringing together the various groups so they could assist as best they could in a coordinated way.
A little later FACS (Department of Family and Community Services) took over, helping people get the support they needed, registering names of those arriving and pointing them towards beds for the night, at local motels and caravan parks for the most part, but also to Casuarina House and other facilities with beds available.
A slightly over-zealous FACS chaplain got it into his head that media was not welcome and strongly advised me to leave (I note the same treatment wasn’t directed towards the media-savvy self-appointed emcee...). However, as I believe I was helping my community in the best way I could at the time, I declined his offer.
There was so much love and support in the room, and while I felt like an intruder at times – and made to feel so by at least one other – I am sure our sharing of info with the wider community was worth it.
The strength and resilience of this community has shone through the smoke haze.