Fisherman’s mercy dash to Tasmania’s far south with essential supplies

The deck of commercial fisherman Bryan Denny’s boat is usually loaded with abalone freshly plucked from Tasmania’s southern waters, but not yesterday.

Bryan Denny with the boatload of supplies he took to Dover to help those who have stayed in bushfire affected areas in the Huon Valley. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE deck of commercial fisherman Bryan Denny’s boat Motunui is usually loaded with abalone freshly plucked from Tasmania’s southern waters, but not yesterday.

Instead, his deck carried 11 tonnes of goods from Hobart to Southport and Dover for residents in short supply since the closure of the Huon Highway due to bushfires.

But Tasmania Police regional controller commander Tony Cerritelli said the best way to help people affected was to donate money to the Vinnies Tasmania 2019 Bushfire Appeal.

“We appreciate the public goodwill towards these communities and people offering help and donations of goods but we ask that people continue to co-operate with emergency services by allowing government agencies to provide any support or assistance required,” he said.

Mr Denny grew up in Southport in the state’s far south and sabryan id he received a call for help from the local store.

“They asked me if I could bring supplies to them if they put an order in to suppliers in Hobart and got it delivered to the boat,” he said.

“They were concerned that the roads were going to be shut for an indefinite period because that was what was being broadcast.”

Mr Denny saw an opportunity to deliver donations to the remote area and see if any specific items were needed.

On Thursday he started the Facebook page Southern Tas Fire Relief Supply Runs and put a call out for donations of food, drinks, air purifiers, household goods, pet food and sanitary products.

At 10am yesterday the boat departed with 11 tonnes of supplies. “My wife and I are very humbled because of what’s happened — the generosity of people.

“We certainly didn’t think it was going to be this big.”

Requests came through for wallaby milk for injured or orphaned joeys and an air purifier for a family with a two-week-old baby in Southport.

“I think we’ve ended up with five or six air purifiers so there’s gear there for elderly people and other people in the community who might suffer from asthma and breathing problems.”