b"Incredibly, shops remained intact and town and its welcome residents whosome remained open 24/7, Lucys didnt want us to go.We locked up theRestaurant was serving delicious food car and trailer and left it there at theand the Golf Club was offering meals. Mallacoota caravan park .NYE was a very early night with most We left the ravaged Bastion Point byoccupants in bed by 10:00pm Police speed boat and transferred to theexhausted. amphibious boat to then board the ShipNY day we awoke to a smoky haze with HMAS Choules bound for HMASthe HMAS Choules and the Rig tender Cerberus.Far Saricon anchored off the surf beach Our 20 hour sea commute was madeat Mallacoota, and to our amazement very easy with every member of thehad already commenced supplying the crew making the remaining 300town with food, water,diesel and evacuees feel so welcome in the samegenerators, medical supplies, etc. fashion as they had looked afterThroughout this timeregular community the1200 evacuees on the first ship out.meetings were held where food stuffs We were given a rack in bunkwere available to those in need and the rooms,full hot meals, showers, toiletsPolice and CFA gave updates on fires, and full access to the ship.local information and proposed The trip back to Westernport ran likeevacuation plans for those wishing to clockwork, and without doubt all theleave and avoid the potential hazardous evacuees on board including the dogsweather,high temperatures and were blown away by the hospitality and appropriately set out in my Facebookimplications on Saturday 4th January. support of the amazing 200 plus crew post made on New Years DayshortlyThe majority of our friends decided to on board! after the fires went through Mallacoota.evacuate on Choules undertaking the 20 Welcome to our home which is nowhour trip to Westernport for a number of your home! the Captain said! Carey and Meredithreasons including work and family Our trip to Mallacoota this year was an Range Rover Club of Victoriacommitments, as well as the possibility eventful one albeit cut short.Our trueof further fires. feelings at the time particularly in rela-We decided to remain and support the tion to all of the heroes who devotedlocal community and to volunteer where themselves to fighting this bushfire arepossible.We felt we were in no furtherdanger but were ready to watch and act Carey's Facebook post from 2 Jan 2020as required. Whilst the fires are not completely out and Saturday is looking a bit problematic IOn Saturday the temperature did not would like to thank the heroes in thiscommunity, the firies, the police and all thereach the predicted 40 degrees, how- volunteers who have been simply outstanding in their efforts to protect and lookever when the northerly wind turned to after everyone in this amazing town of Mallacoota. For me whilst I have been acome from SW mid-afternoon the entire great admirer of our emergency services, now having been through this encountertown was blanketed in smoke and I am simply in awe of these people who put their own lives at risk for the benefit ofdarkness fell on the town and remained the community. Thank you to all the emergency service personnel, the volunteerstill the following morning - thankfully with and the community at large which has pulled together in such an amazing manner.only a few spot fires occurring. Thanks to everyone for your messages of concern .Over the next few days smoke We are all safe and supporting one another as a community should.permitting small planes, Black Hawkaircraft and Chinook helicopters flew Evacuation from Mallacootaselected evacuees (approximately 300people)to Sale and also brought insome emergency personnel.Life settled down over the next day ortwo to some form of normality - weplayed 9 holes on the somewhatravaged golf course before it wasdeemed too hazardous to play onbecause of the potential falling trees .The weather became quite cool.Foodwas plentiful having been left vastamounts from the evacuees whocouldnt take their supplies.At the community meeting Tuesday 7thJanuary, we were advised that the roadclosure could continue up to 40 days toclear and allow vehicle access.Previously we had been told the PrincesHwy would be open in 7-10 days.Thiscausedus to change our plansreluctantly and spend the day packingup, getting the boat and kayak out ofthe water, and take the last opportunityto evacuate this beautiful and vulnerableTRACKWATCH MARCH 202017"