Blues State of Origin stars provide boost to bushfire victims

“People are so generous”. As Jamie Zaia recalled the day when bushfires took his home and everything he had worked a lifetime to earn, Brad Fittler and NRL stars were giving back to his bushfire-ravaged community.

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Jamie Zaia was watching the back half of his house burn when, inexplicably, teenage son Taigan went and disappeared inside it.

“Straight in our front door,” recounts the teachers’ aide from the little bush town of Willawarrin, just west of Kempsey.

“The house was already alight and, within 15 minutes, burned to the ground.

“But Taigan, he just bolted … off and inside while I stood there screaming at him.”

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The historic church in Willawarrin which had been converted was destroyed. Picture: John Feder

Seated now with The Daily Telegraph at a bench inside Willawarrin primary school – which along with a pub and shop completes this community of roughly 200 people -- Zaia is recalling the day a few weeks back when bushfires took his home, his sheds, everything basically this 39-year-old had worked a lifetime to earn.

But insured?

“Didn’t think I needed it,” the father of three continues. “I’ve lived here all my life and bushfire, mate, I’ve never seen one burn more than somebody’s back paddock.”

But then came the morning of Friday, November 8.

When walls in flame tearing in from mountains to the west took not only his home and the life of a neighbour, but some 60 more houses across the Shire, along with wildlife, countless livestock, even six working dogs.

Which goes some way to explaining why Brad Fittler -- when our interview is over and he thinks no one is watching -- will go and pop a small, white envelope in the top of Zaia’s shirt pocket.

Blues coach Brad Fittler with Jamie Zaia and his daughters Gypsy, 6, and Elke 10. Picture: Nathan Edwards

In the same motion, the NSW Origin coach also dumping on this popular local a whole pile of shirts, jackets and hats from the outfit he has now led to consecutive series titles.

But as for what was in said envelope?

Well, that’s the business of only Freddy and the man who lost everything.

“But just knowing they care enough to be here,” Zaia had said minutes earlier, “it really means everything”.

And by they, Zaia means not only Fittler, but a stellar team of NRL stars like James Tedesco, Andrew Johns, Boyd Cordner, Danny Buderus, Cam Murray, James Roberts, Mitch Aubusson, Mark O’Meley, Jillaroo Kezie Apps, even Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Together, and over both Wednesday and Thursday, not only visiting those small towns worst hit by the blazes, but also conducting clinics, gifting hampers and popping little white envelopes into top pockets.

James Tedesco talks with the kids from Willawarrin Public School. Picture: Nathan Edwards

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Which means plenty in a place like Willawarrin.

This little, bush village where, over a schooner at the pub, you will likely run into the deputy captain of the local rural fire service – given he now lives on the second floor after losing his own home in the blaze.

“Just smashed us,” Zaia deadpans.

“But you know, at times like this people are so generous. I’ve honestly been offered about 20 new beds and lounges … I just haven’t got a house to put them in.”

And as for son Taigan?

“He ran back inside to get our camera,” the old man says proudly. “Eventually, got outside and said ‘dad, the fire isn’t taking our memories too’.”

Originally published as Blues State of Origin stars provide boost to bushfire victims