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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-02-18 Daily Xml
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South Australian Bushfires

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (15:34): As I have earlier reflected in this place, Christmas was a time of fear in my community. On 20 December, at Hollands Creek Road a fire was ignited by a tree making contact with powerlines. The fire burned through Cudlee Creek, Lenswood, Lobethal, Woodside, Charleston, Kenton Valley, Mount Torrens, Birdwood, Brukunga, Harrogate and much of the country between and around those townships.

On the evening of 20 December, the sky was dark with smoke and ash. The fire was still burning and would burn for at least the next 11 days. Despite this, my community rallied. Wherever there was a practical need, people worked to meet it. I wish to acknowledge and formally record the many volunteers from Nairne who assisted my community. As you will know, Mr Speaker, Nairne is close to Brukunga and the Harrogate Ridge. The fire had moved through the ridge quickly, incinerating everything in its path. It was so hot that aluminium fittings, which melt at 660°, were easily destroyed.

Within the gallery today are Sheree Reid and Esther Cruckshanck, who worked to provide assistance through the Nairne Soldiers Memorial Hall and, of course, represent many others who also provided assistance at the Nairne Family Church through Nairne Fire Support. Nairne hall and the church became clearing stations for donations of bottled water, food, clothing, toiletries and other items. Rachel and Gary Barlow at Stroud Homes used their business as a clearing house to supply the fireground and worked closely with Nairne hall and Nairne Fire Support.

I want to specifically acknowledge Michelle Leverington and Tanya Little, who were closely involved in the Nairne hall and in organising what became an immense relief effort. I also want to acknowledge Tahnia Heal and volunteers from the Brukunga community, who worked incredibly hard and over long hours to assist at Brukunga Hall. I read these remarks from Michelle Leverington:

I can safely say I am no Celeste Barber, but what we started for the beautiful Adelaide Hills is something that will change me forever. From a small idea at 5pm on 21 December 2019 to what was achieved is the work of absolute love.

Many hundreds of people came to donate to Nairne hall and Nairne Fire Support and elsewhere through the district. They did not do this to be recognised, they did not do it because they were seeking for me to make these remarks, they did it because they wanted to help their neighbours and their friends and those people in need in our community, and they did it willingly and they did it immediately. It was practical and meaningful and very, very much appreciated help.

I have also earlier remarked that at a church hall in our community a local pastor, Father Thomas, set up an entire supermarket from donated items. I also recognise and record the assistance of the member for Heysen not only in working to ensure that that supermarket could be operational but also in providing direct, immediate and much appreciated assistance to me.

Members will know that 2,002 personal hardship grants were made in the Hills and 412 on Kangaroo Island. Eighty-three dwellings were destroyed. Of the 60 wineries in the fire scar, 43 are reporting losses. More than 292 vehicles have been destroyed and many other structures have been damaged. Well over 3,000 head of livestock and many animal lives have been lost.

At Charleston, Mr Speaker, as you know, a life was lost. Mr Ron Selth was deeply respected in our community, and I refer to and emphasise the remarks I placed on record in this place in the course of my Address in Reply. I remember, too, the lives lost on Kangaroo Island and acknowledge that the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Mawson have memorialised their loss.

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