Sitting in the pub listening to the music, while working hard on pulling together the plans for the Village. We got the firebreak in place yesterday, great effort from Ian Kennedy and Rob Dumsday, we talked about it on Thursday and it was done by Friday.
On a less happy note the Police and Army Forensic teams are working through the areas of the town that were destroyed on Black Saturday. A tough job but they are putting in a big effort and have a very large team. It is part of the process and until they finish the clearing process can't begin.
The roadblock at the Community Hall has been moved back towards Whittlesea so at least people can access the Pub without going into the destruction zone.
Expecting a heap of stuff to land in the Village tomorrow and today cranes are putting the 27,000 lt. water tanks in place.
Cool new quiet generator has landed and will be sufficient to provide power for the time being.
Expecting huts to land tomorrow.
If anyone has access to large marquees (10m X 21m with floors) let me know because we have one that is being hired but it is not a sustainable long term solution.
Keep rocking...Flowerdale Rocks....blues music, pub is going off
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Village on the Move
Well things are continuing to happen at the Rec Reserve. A Team comprising the Community Committee, a range of private sector organisations, the Murrindindi Shire and State Government are rapidly preparing plans and a submission to the Bushfire Reconstruction Authority to get the Rec Reserve facilities into shape.
In the meantime some fire firghting equiupment has been put in place and more will come in today. We are also hoping to excavate a firebreak around the perimeter of the reserve today given the concerns about the weather today.
There was a lot of excitement when the three Xbox machines complete with screens rolled in last night(thanks Microsoft). We hope to have the Telstra antenna in today which will give us much better reception as well as internet access.
Things are moving fast and looking promising, will keep you posted.
In the meantime some fire firghting equiupment has been put in place and more will come in today. We are also hoping to excavate a firebreak around the perimeter of the reserve today given the concerns about the weather today.
There was a lot of excitement when the three Xbox machines complete with screens rolled in last night(thanks Microsoft). We hope to have the Telstra antenna in today which will give us much better reception as well as internet access.
Things are moving fast and looking promising, will keep you posted.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Flowerdale Kinder in the news and on the go
Well the Kinder is up and running in the rec reserve clubrooms. See http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25084144-661,00.html
The old one is totally destroyed.
Over the weekend $3,000 was raised and I was able to give community representatives a cheque for $1000. A number of people are asking about things they can give, because the Kinder has no home they are running from the Recreation Reserve clubrooms and have nowhere to put anything. The key cash requirement is to be able to pay staff for extending the hours of operation. They are also looking to save money to buy outdoor equipment in the next couple of months, by which time there will be a Portable Classroom at the school. At that stage I can give details of things rather than cash.
If you want to donate to help the Kinder keep going contact the treasurer:
Chrissie Grant on 03 57801516
If you can donate funds send cheques to:
Flowerdale Kindergarten
PO Box 2012
Hazeldene, VIC, 3717
The old one is totally destroyed.
Over the weekend $3,000 was raised and I was able to give community representatives a cheque for $1000. A number of people are asking about things they can give, because the Kinder has no home they are running from the Recreation Reserve clubrooms and have nowhere to put anything. The key cash requirement is to be able to pay staff for extending the hours of operation. They are also looking to save money to buy outdoor equipment in the next couple of months, by which time there will be a Portable Classroom at the school. At that stage I can give details of things rather than cash.
If you want to donate to help the Kinder keep going contact the treasurer:
Chrissie Grant on 03 57801516
If you can donate funds send cheques to:
Flowerdale Kindergarten
PO Box 2012
Hazeldene, VIC, 3717
Flowerdale rebuilding gets government support
At the Flowerdale Recovery Team meeting it was announced that the Premier John Brumby has given in principle support to help fund the builing of a temporary village that the community has already began to establish.
In another boost Major General John Cantwell, the Chief Operating Officer of the Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority will visit Flowerdale to get things moving for the temporary village.
The Recovery team has set the target for ten units in two weeks and with the help of the VBRRA will get there. This is great news for the town and follows yestereday when the school reopened with almost a full attendance.
The tireless work of many of the townspeople, the community committee and the volunteers is paying off. I will post the press release as soon as i can get it.
The fighting Flowerdallians continue to punch way above their weight
In another boost Major General John Cantwell, the Chief Operating Officer of the Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority will visit Flowerdale to get things moving for the temporary village.
The Recovery team has set the target for ten units in two weeks and with the help of the VBRRA will get there. This is great news for the town and follows yestereday when the school reopened with almost a full attendance.
The tireless work of many of the townspeople, the community committee and the volunteers is paying off. I will post the press release as soon as i can get it.
The fighting Flowerdallians continue to punch way above their weight
Sunday, February 22, 2009
23rd February is a big day for Flowerdale
You may have seen in the news how Flowerdale has taken direct action to get residents accommodation and is setting up a temporary village on the recreation reserve.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/754967/flowerdale-starts-diy-rebuilding-process
The two vans in shot were donated by the Portland House Foundation, and they also donated a couple of others to people in town. The village is growing quickly and is known as Crashtown, not only because it will be a place to crash, but the guy running it on the ground is known as Crash.
I took in laptops and a printer, donated by Deloitte, on the weekend and Telstra is setting up an antenna on Monday. We expect to have a little internet cafe set up so residents can finally access information.
The State Government will tomorrow inform the town committee formed in the aftermath of the bushfires what support it will give. The speed with which things are moving really requires that significant funding (we are talking more than $1m but less than $5m in my humble guesstimation) is given to provide the necessary infrastructure such as toilets, cooking facilities, water etc without too much red tape and bureaucracy.
Another key factor will be to let the community set the tone for how it will work. Flowerdillians don't want it to be like an "indian reservation" more as a facility for those who have lost homes and want to stay in the community.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/754967/flowerdale-starts-diy-rebuilding-process
The two vans in shot were donated by the Portland House Foundation, and they also donated a couple of others to people in town. The village is growing quickly and is known as Crashtown, not only because it will be a place to crash, but the guy running it on the ground is known as Crash.
I took in laptops and a printer, donated by Deloitte, on the weekend and Telstra is setting up an antenna on Monday. We expect to have a little internet cafe set up so residents can finally access information.
The State Government will tomorrow inform the town committee formed in the aftermath of the bushfires what support it will give. The speed with which things are moving really requires that significant funding (we are talking more than $1m but less than $5m in my humble guesstimation) is given to provide the necessary infrastructure such as toilets, cooking facilities, water etc without too much red tape and bureaucracy.
Another key factor will be to let the community set the tone for how it will work. Flowerdillians don't want it to be like an "indian reservation" more as a facility for those who have lost homes and want to stay in the community.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Update - 21 Feb - Action Stations
Came into Flowerdale today and things are on the move. Portland House rolled in with the first four caravans to the mini village starting to establish itself on the rec reserve. We have the lap tops on the ground and Telstra will set up an antenna with access on Monday.
About six families have been established and more activity is happening around the newly delivered caravans.
Still need some cash to get kindergarten staff up and running, they only did 16 hours historically but we really need to run 5 days a week. My parents and my wife and I have put in the first $1000 but we need more. Will post details of where to put in direct deposits and cut out the middle man (ie me). Spirits are high things are happening. Watch this space and i will try to find out more info on what help they need
About six families have been established and more activity is happening around the newly delivered caravans.
Still need some cash to get kindergarten staff up and running, they only did 16 hours historically but we really need to run 5 days a week. My parents and my wife and I have put in the first $1000 but we need more. Will post details of where to put in direct deposits and cut out the middle man (ie me). Spirits are high things are happening. Watch this space and i will try to find out more info on what help they need
Friday, February 20, 2009
Flowerdale in the news
Well little flowerdale is really getting attention, it has been in the news all over the world and the latest vid from Fairfax has my niece in it. She is wearing the pink stripey pyjamas and has plaits, http://media.theage.com.au/?category=Breaking%20News&rid=46321
Cash for Kindergarten
Just spoke to the locals, they want to reopen the kindergarten and need some cash to do so. They need about $5,000 to get going any ideas let me know. pewilliams@deloitte.com.au or 0433141943
Help with Horses
Anyone in Flowerdale who needs help with horses:
For Flowerdale and surrounds - Drop/Collection point:
Three Sisters Farm, Road side number 2724, Broadford/ Flowerdale Road, Flowerdale, (between Seymour amd Yea). Person supervising the distribution is Allan Schulz 57802300 or 0417 591 302.
If there are any specific needs, please advise Allan or TREW, and we will do our best to provide whatever it is on one of our deliveries.
Thanks to my sister and the Victorian Horse forum for helping out
For Flowerdale and surrounds - Drop/Collection point:
Three Sisters Farm, Road side number 2724, Broadford/ Flowerdale Road, Flowerdale, (between Seymour amd Yea). Person supervising the distribution is Allan Schulz 57802300 or 0417 591 302.
If there are any specific needs, please advise Allan or TREW, and we will do our best to provide whatever it is on one of our deliveries.
Thanks to my sister and the Victorian Horse forum for helping out
Thursday, February 19, 2009
On the Ground update
The ADF are on the ground helping with meals but the word is they are moving out tomorrow so the Flowerdallians will have to fend for themselves again. Not sure what the ADF strategy is they pulled out last Thursday then came back on Tuesday and are pulling out again.
There are quite a few kids there and the normal swimming holes in the King Parrot Creek have been contaminated so a couple of blow up splash pools might be useful but there is not much water, sure we can work that out.
The other thing that would be really useful would be child minding or a temporary creche. The parents are trying to get things together but have kids in tow, and anyone who has had kids knows how hard it is to get things done when kids are bored and hanging around.
Accommodation is a problem and hopefully we can get some caravans in soon.
Got the laptops today (thanks to the Deloitte IT people for sorting this out) and Telstra are helping me with Next G cards. Telstra have really stood up in terms of getting comms up and helping the victims.
I bought a printer/fax/copier to take up on the weekend which will be useful.
The residents of Flowerdale Rd, Glen Iris have adopted their namesake town, thanks Diana. If anyone wants to contact me re help call me on 0433141943 or email pewilliams@deloitte.com.au , i am also regularly updating on twitter my name on there is rexster
There are quite a few kids there and the normal swimming holes in the King Parrot Creek have been contaminated so a couple of blow up splash pools might be useful but there is not much water, sure we can work that out.
The other thing that would be really useful would be child minding or a temporary creche. The parents are trying to get things together but have kids in tow, and anyone who has had kids knows how hard it is to get things done when kids are bored and hanging around.
Accommodation is a problem and hopefully we can get some caravans in soon.
Got the laptops today (thanks to the Deloitte IT people for sorting this out) and Telstra are helping me with Next G cards. Telstra have really stood up in terms of getting comms up and helping the victims.
I bought a printer/fax/copier to take up on the weekend which will be useful.
The residents of Flowerdale Rd, Glen Iris have adopted their namesake town, thanks Diana. If anyone wants to contact me re help call me on 0433141943 or email pewilliams@deloitte.com.au , i am also regularly updating on twitter my name on there is rexster
Crime Scene or Disaster Zone - a reflection
I have posted a number of times regarding the difficulty residents have had getting in and out of fire affected areas, even residents who have never effectively "left" their communities have experienced difficulties at roadblocks. There have also been problems whereby Vicroads publishes that a road is open to residents yet the police on the ground are not letting residents, with ID, through.
In my interactions with a number of different police officers most, but not all, refer to the fire affected areas as a "crime scene". If you think of a crime scene the objectives are to get people out, seal it off and carry out a detailed investigation. Applying a crime scene perspective at a roadblock results in "it doesn't matter who you are or what you are doing, you can't come in". As the fire affected area is spread over hundreds of thousands of hectares and many residents never left the area other than to access relief and return, a crime scene approach was always going to create point of conflict.
In a disaster zone the objectives are to make it safe, get the help and relief we need and remove any barriers or hindrances. Many residents in fire affected areas got very frustrated when they came up against the "crime scene" perspective when trying to get to relief centres and then return to their communities.
It does seem that the responsibility for roadblocks is now with Vicroads, which would indicate that the police have largely finished their work of victim location and identification as well as the investigative side of their work (those victim ID police have such a terrible job but do it very well). Hopefully there will be less conflict and stress and we can focus on the disaster zone perspective.
In my interactions with a number of different police officers most, but not all, refer to the fire affected areas as a "crime scene". If you think of a crime scene the objectives are to get people out, seal it off and carry out a detailed investigation. Applying a crime scene perspective at a roadblock results in "it doesn't matter who you are or what you are doing, you can't come in". As the fire affected area is spread over hundreds of thousands of hectares and many residents never left the area other than to access relief and return, a crime scene approach was always going to create point of conflict.
In a disaster zone the objectives are to make it safe, get the help and relief we need and remove any barriers or hindrances. Many residents in fire affected areas got very frustrated when they came up against the "crime scene" perspective when trying to get to relief centres and then return to their communities.
It does seem that the responsibility for roadblocks is now with Vicroads, which would indicate that the police have largely finished their work of victim location and identification as well as the investigative side of their work (those victim ID police have such a terrible job but do it very well). Hopefully there will be less conflict and stress and we can focus on the disaster zone perspective.
Help is in town
Just spoke to a journalist who was up in Flowerdale yesterday. Sounds like things are really happening. The army is back, power is gradually being restored and things are on the move. There is still a shortage of accommodation which no doubt will take time to coordinate.
Residents were feeling isolated but now feeling much better that things are on the move.
I have got six laptops with internet access, and a printer/fax/photocopier, to take up on the weekend, subject to my ability to evade roadblocks, and will do the grant applications so the residents will be more able to connect to the outside world.
Residents were feeling isolated but now feeling much better that things are on the move.
I have got six laptops with internet access, and a printer/fax/photocopier, to take up on the weekend, subject to my ability to evade roadblocks, and will do the grant applications so the residents will be more able to connect to the outside world.
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