Tasmania’s Huon Valley locals pulling together in the face of adversity

THE fate of the southern town of Geeveston rests in nature’s hands says local resident Glen Ryan.

Geeveston resident Glen Ryan filling his neighbour’s roof gutters with water. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE fate of the southern town of Geeveston rests in nature’s hands says local resident Glen Ryan who, like many other Geeveston folk, is unselfishly helping others through trying times.

As a 57,000ha uncontrolled bushfire burns 2km south of town, residents remained on high alert yesterday before an emergency fire warning was issued by the Tasmanian Fire Service shortly before 3pm.

Many residents were seen leaving the town to seek safety in Hobart, while others chose to stay and protect their homes from the imposing blaze.

One of those who chose to stay and defend his home was Mr Ryan, who praised the work of local firefighters, but said he felt like Mother Nature would be the only thing that could prevent fire from tearing through his hometown.

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Geeveston IGA supermarket Matthew Nicholas has helped out the local fire brigade with supplies of food and drinks. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

As well as hosing down his own gutters, the good Samaritan spent Sunday afternoon also watering the gutters at the homes of his surrounding neighbours, who had all decided to leave when the emergency warning was issued. The humble local said he was only too happy to pitch in to help.

“You just do what you can because there’s nothing else you can do,” he said.

“It’s out of our hands, and it appears out of the fireys’ hands, unfortunately,” he said.

“You only hope that nature helps us out, which I’m not sure will happen looking at the forecasts. We need rain and lots of it.”

Mr Ryan said he recalled watching as the 1967 Black Tuesday fires tore through nearby hillsides.

“I just hope it doesn’t hit anyone like the 1967 fires did, because that was bad,” he said.

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Volunteers at the Geeveston Fire Station prepare for the day. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Across the road from Mr Ryan’s School Rd property, crews at the town’s fire station said they had been inundated with community assistance.

Third-generation local butcher and supermarket owner Matthew Nicholas has personified generosity by offering local fireys free food and supplies at the Geeveston IGA.

“He’s a beautiful man with a big heart,” fire station social support officer Jo said.

“Every second day for the past fortnight we have stopped by for food to feed our fireys and he just says ‘take whatever you need’.”

Mr Nicholas said it was the least he could do for a town that had provided so much for his family for generations.

“I’m not going to put food through the tills for those sorts of guys,” he said.

Tasmania Fire Service deputy operations officer George Auchterlonie giving a briefing at the Geeveston Fire Station before crews head out. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES