A visit to the bushfire evacuation centres to meet and thank behind-the-scenes volunteers

“One of the most emotional afternoons I have ever had”.

The Governor today visited the three evacuation centres that have been set up in the City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring to temporarily house dozens of families impacted by this weeks devastating bushfire.

Visiting with Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner, (Strategy and Emergency Management Command) Mal Cronstedt who is overseeing the coordination of the evacuation centres, the Governor met and spoke with many volunteers and emergency personnel from charity organisations, government support services, and community groups that are all focused on helping those who were forced to flee the fire and those who went in to fight it.

“Looking at the stoic, community minded, helpful, courageous, caring people who are both the givers of assistance and the receivers during this fire emergency, it really is one of the most emotional afternoons I have ever had. There are so many organisations that are themselves so brilliantly organised and so well responded to. It does your heart good,” said the Governor.

The Governor visited the Swan Active centres in Beechboro and Midland, and the Brown Park Recreation Centre in Swan View where a raft of support services have joined together offering everything from a hot meal and a place to sleep, to psychological support and financial counselling.

“We have all three levels of government out here, local, state and federal support services. We have an army of voluntary organisations and representatives running three shifts, permanently here to ensure people are clothed, fed, counselled, assisted financially, help to ensure they can get messages to loved ones, and being put in touch with people with whom they can plan a future out of the misery they have been confronted with in recent days”.

The Governor also spoke with evacuees, some who had lost their homes in the fire and others still waiting to find out. All of them so grateful to the organisations and agencies working hard to support them during this emergency.

“You know with these groups and volunteers around them that they are going to be alright, and you know there is the care and the heart there with them and there is a terrific sense amongst them all that the whole of the community is behind them.”

The Governor encourages all West Australians to give what they can to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund to help those most at need. Donations to the appeal can be made here.

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