The Respite Centre in Dickson was doing just what its name suggested - giving respite to fraught evacuees who had journeyed from the chaos of the South Coast infernos.
Respite for parched throats through tea poured by members of the St Mark Orthodox Coptic Church in Kaleen.
Respite through showers from the dirt of hot, sweaty travel after hot, sweaty stays in emergency centres: respite from dirty clothes through the offer of clean clothes; respite from fear through the offer of kindness.
A host of organisations came together to offer different services: the Salvation Army; Vinnies; St John Ambulance; Anglicare; and Red Cross, coordinated by the ACT government.
Spiritual respite from the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network. Chaplain Martin Christensen said the aim was not to push Christianity - and the group did have a Buddhist chaplain - but to help as they could.
"The immediate focus is on the immediate needs," Reverend Christensen said.
"It may be that we never mention God."
There was concern at the centre that people shouldn't just bring items of clothing or food.
A sign outside said: "Please do not leave donations here. Sorting through and distributing donated goods is time-consuming and takes resources away from the outreach services needed by the community affected by the fires."
The "givit" organisation recommended giving via its website, which coordinates donations with organisations which might need a particular item.
Vouchers to buy fuel or food might be much more useful than tins of food, fore example, according to Caroline Odgers the manager for "givit" in the ACT.
On top of the centre at Dickson College, the Queanbeyan Showgrounds and the Hall Showgrounds were open for people who needed a stop as they travelled home.
