David Jeffries, Harcourt
It is now nearly four months since the fire noisily raged down the hill behind my house in Harcourt and took most of the trinkets of my past life away. There has been much personal introspection and naval gazing, a few tears, many clumsy attempts at stoicism and happily finding out who are true friends. I have tried to see it as a cathartic experience of transitioning from one phase of my life to another, a few times I wonder into silence as I gaze inward wondering what now, when will it end? But there is no time machine, there is no way to take the embers and dust blowing in the wind to glue our past lives and community back together to exactly what it was.
I have watched as some hit out and look for someone to blame, I have seen people show positive facets of their selves which were once hidden to all but closest family and friends, many others finding bravery even through their own sadness.
I have seen how a good community works, so many generous volunteers taking a step forward to offer a smile and their energy to help others. I have been humbled by their words and deeds, it has been a true litmus test of the wonderful humanity that surrounds us, fully visible at times like this.
I have seen how you didn’t need to lose anything material to be affected, some who lost everything seem on the face of it able to face this catastrophe, while others who had a home to return to wander around shell shocked, sadly some with miss guided guilt.
I now understand how just being a local or having friends, neighbours or family affected causes ripples in our emotions just as much, if not more than someone like me, for we are all built differently, there are no rules to this. There have been a few who have thrown out judgemental words, spewing out ivory tower wisdom, who should maybe walk in others shoes before they clumsily and all too quickly connect opinions in their heads to their vocal cords.
I have seen how government has stepped forward with generosity that you would not find anywhere else on this planet. I’ve never had great affection for authority but the assistance, both financial and otherwise people like me have been given has been not only extremely helpful but also therapeutic. The not for profit organisations like the Harcourt Progress Group and Anglicare, that have been silently hovering around me like butterflies, ready to gently step in using soft words to assist when asked, their hearts always ready when I needed to talk, I cannot fault them.
The CFA from all over the State who after days of fire fighting dropped by in the preceding weeks to visit me in my small camper on my blackened land by the crumpled roof and smouldering ashes of my life. Some brought me food and water, others gave me kind words and shared the odd dark joke or cold amber liquid – what can I say, great people, amazing volunteers.
The recovery centres and the people who volunteered in them, cooking and serving food, handing out all kinds of donated clothes and goods with a smile, making sure we had the small bits of life to help us make a start in our own re-boot.
To those who donated, turning up with boot loads of things to help others. To the organisations who sat at tables offering assistance and advice.
The VMR (the miniature railway in Harcourt), I have no doubt if they hadn’t stopped the fire just uphill from their station the centre of Harcourt would not be as it is now, so many others would have lost their homes too. A big thank you to them and others too who helped save their neighbours homes.
There have been businesses who have given material comfort, Snooze, Pillow Talk, Coliban Water, Woolworths, the Reece Plumbing Charity, Kosmac & Clemens, a young man at The Good Guys who helped me, other places who gave me things without being asked, too many to name.
I have heard some cynically say it is a tax right off without seeing the generous and gentle spirit in which they dealt with me and others, your harsh words are not welcomed by me as all did not want publicity, just wanted to help their community.
As I stumble on the genuine decency of those helping in the first stages of rebuilding, Blaze Aid who step in to help fix fences, Disaster Relief Australia who came to my land to clean up fallen trees, Forge Solutions who demolished the embers of my home with kind words and questions, there are more organisations, again too many to list, I also thank you, you have made this so much easier than it could have been.
From inside my personal maelstrom I feel compelled to publicly thank everyone for helping, individuals, businesses, not for profits and governments of all levels, also my beautiful friends and neighbours, you know who you are. I have chosen to do this publicly and believe and hope I speak for some affected, foolishly hoping my words give comfort, and possibly help put comprehension to others feelings.
I have come to the conclusion this sadly does not completely end, I will adjust to it as I move on at my own pace to get my life back in some semblance of order, this is going to be a long winding road for me and others. What was once for me 1 step forward and 2 steps back is now 2 steps onwards and 1 back, the hill will become less steep as I plod up it, your help has given me the energy to carry on.
Writing this has been part of my journey, I am sure there are many others who want to show their appreciation too, we will get through this but hopefully we will become not only more thoughtful, but an even more compassionate place in this world of conflict and disasters. Sadly we will not be the last to live through times like this.
Please if you need help seek it, if you need someone to talk to ask, it is there for the us all, you are not alone. I say this out of experience, the first words are always the hardest to say, accepting help is sometimes giving, sharing your burden with other welcoming broad shoulders is good for us all.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.