In the midst of the bushfire crisis that tore through New South Wales and Queensland this week and last, small moments have shone through.
Acts of community or resilience or kindness have spread across the country. From free food and accommodation, to support for firefighters and inspiring messages from those battling the blaze to each other.
Consoling notes
In Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour, as it has been all around the country, notes have been springing up.
There have been messages of thanks for firefighters, support for evacuees and general shared notes that these communities will see this through.
Australians can be great. Nana Glen, 600km north of Sydney.📸: William West #AUSTRALIAFIRES pic.twitter.com/3QtxBcNckl
— Rohan Smith (@Ro_Smith) November 13, 2019
In Nambucca Heads, the volunteers from the NSW Rural Fire Service left heartwarming notes of their own.
I found this note on my kitchen bench. The house survived in the midst of a forest firestorm #fires pic.twitter.com/52R3QC9e5P
— Paul Sekfy (@psekfy) November 11, 2019
‘Until our stock runs out’
Many businesses around the country have opened their doors to evacuees, firefighters and the general community.
The Hotel Motel 5 in South Grafton, for example, has been offering free food throughout the crisis.
A hotel in South Grafton doing what Aussie family businesses do best - look after their community. It’s why we should all support them in return pic.twitter.com/G2hqChCzOt
— Daniel Sutton (@danielsutton10) November 8, 2019
In Old Bar, local restaurant Sai Thai Table and Tea declared on Saturday that they would “open for everyone who does not have anything to eat”.
The Thai restaurant fed those affected by the fires “until our stock runs out” – and did the same again the next day.
‘I’m not the first pregnant firefighter’
On a fireground near Taree, firefighter Kat Robinson-Williams, who is 14 weeks pregnant, paid tribute to the hard work of volunteer firefighters, especially the hundreds of women who are sometimes overlooked.
Robinson-Williams’ mother and grandmother were also firefighters, and her mother fought fires in 1995 while pregnant with her.
“I’m not the first pregnant firefighter and I’m not going to be the last one,” she told the BBC. “I’m still in a position where I’m able to help so I will.”
On social media, she posted another message of solidarity.
“For all the females on the ground in NSW right now. We stand together we stand proud!”
“Yes I am a Firefighter. No I’m not a man. Yes I am a female. Yes I am pregnant. Yes I am going to the fires. And yes I’ll be alright.”
‘Makes me proud to live in Australia’
On Tuesday, an emergency-level fire flared in South Turramurra on the north shore of Sydney, before being brought under control.
Afterwards, firefighters were fed by the Turramurra Sikh Temple – still daubed pink by the bright fire retardant that the RFS sprayed over the suburb.
I love this. I’m extra emotional about it as it’s five metres from my old house where firies saved our place in 2002. Legends. Shoutout to the enduring community spirit of South Turramurra. This is the kind of thing that makes me proud to live in Australia. #nswfires @NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/B15CCMuOik
— Lawrence Champness (@champy) November 12, 2019
‘Dear Miss Firewomen and Mr Fireman’
In Ballina, students at the local public school shared these letters of thanks to firefighters.
“Dear Miss Firewomen and Mr Fireman, Thank you for risking your life. It is a big help, especially for me because I have asthma,” said one.
Calming the animals
Near Port Macquarie, the Wauchope Showground provided shelter for 500 animals and pets belonging to evacuated residents. While there, one musically talented resident calmed the especially startled horses with a harp.
In all the mayhem of #NSWbushfires this woman doing her bit to calm horses that’ve fled the fires to the Wauchope Showgrounds @sunriseon7 @7NewsAustralia pic.twitter.com/LzntWOPPXi
— David Woiwod (@DavidWoiwod) November 13, 2019
