From Kinglake to Kabul by Neil Grant

Author:Neil Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JNF007000
ISBN: 9781742692432
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd
Published: 2011-01-26T16:00:00+00:00

The Buckland Gap Sector

Tony Grey

Saturday 7 February was not really a pleasant day for me. I was at the Beechworth fire on the Buckland Gap Sector when I received a phone call from Tamika, who was in what can only be described as a state of hysteria. I can’t recall what time it was and, to be honest, I can’t even remember if it was still daylight; but I answered the phone and told her that I couldn’t talk because I was at a fire.

That’s when she told me she was in Kinglake at a friend’s house and the fire was approaching. I managed to calm her down and give her some advice but there was little else I could do. As it turns out, it didn’t impact on them at that time. I hung up and continued working, but all the while I was wondering what was going on. I must have tried calling a hundred times that night but couldn’t get through. After what seemed like an eternity, she rang me again, panicked and stressed. The fire had changed course and was about to impact on them directly.

Again after settling her down, I managed to talk to her friend’s father and gave him a bit of advice.

I have never felt so helpless in my entire life.

Tamika’s mum called me in a state of panic. She wanted to drive up there but I talked her out of that. She wanted me to get a helicopter and fly down there. Again, I explained that there was nothing I could do. It didn’t really do much for the general sense of helplessness that we were all feeling.

It was an experience I never want to go through again. I honestly thought I would never see Tamika again.

It turned out for the best, thank God, and on reflection we were lucky.

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