Toorak Collegians Brave A Black Summer

As bushfires ravaged our country over the 2020 summer break, two brave Collegians were on site to witness the devastation and destruction firsthand.

Jaymie Moynihan (TC’16) is a volunteer with the CFA who, in early January, was posted to Bairnsdale, one of the most affected areas, to assist as an operational firefighter alongside her crew. Jaymie’s brigade worked on ground fires for over 14 hours each day over four days, resting when they could. Jaymie reflects, “the devastation to the landscape and communities was far more severe than I have ever witnessed before in my three years volunteering. The feeling of fear amongst the community and firefighters alike was something I saw constantly.”

Jaymie has since returned to the affected township to volunteer her time in helping communities, and wildlife shelter rebuilds. Throughout this period, she has seen “incredible acts of communities, and people from far away come together to do all they can. This was incredible to see, and has helped me to deal with all that comes with being a First Responder in such a horrific crisis.”

Also on the scene in a different capacity was journalist and Collegian, Melissa Clarke (TC’00). For the last decade, Melissa has been a political correspondent with the ABC, reporting on federal politics and foreign affairs from Parliament House in Canberra. The events of Black Summer saw Melissa volunteer to step away from her normal reporting duties and head to the NSW coastline where she worked with a team of ABC reporters, camera operators, and satellite operators to get news to people stranded in the region and tell their stories to the rest of the country. Melissa witnessed towns, including Cobargo, Mogo, and Rosedale, being decimated.

Melissa reflects, “Reporting on bushfires puts you in the heart of some of the most devastating events Australians will ever face. You are talking to people wracked with fear and anxiety from the pressure of people making decisions that may determine whether they live or die, save their homes, or lose everything. Once the firefront has passed, or the flames doused, there's shock as people come to terms with what they've lost. For those who escaped unscathed, there's stress as they try to check on relatives and deal with having no power or phone connection. Whilst reporting on bushfires is nothing like fighting them, it is still draining, emotionally as much as physically. But to be doing a job that helps in the greatest time of need is an enormous privilege. Information is important. Fortunately, there is plenty of good news amongst it all. Neighbours who have never met begin working side by side. People open their homes and their hearts. There's generosity in donations, volunteering, and simple kindness. So often I saw the best of people exposed in the worst of times.”