As Australia swelters through one of the worst bushfire seasons in living memory, watering holes across the country step up to shelter and support their flailing communities.
Nationally the devastation has surpassed six million hectares, taking at least 23 lives and more than 1,700 homes in NSW, South Australia and Victoria.
New South Wales has been the hardest hit, seeing towns such as Cobargo in the Bega Valley decimated by out-of-control bushfires.
Local men Robert Salway (63) and son Patrick (29) perished trying to protect their property as the flames tore through the region in the last days of 2019. Their bodies were found by Robert’s wife when she returned after being evacuated.
Witnesses spoke of “watching everything burn” as the wildfires approached the town, “roaring like the ocean” and passing through main street.
Seeing the overwhelmed firefighters, Cobargo Hotel owner David Allen returned into town and used the pub’s fire hoses to put out spot fires that had begun starting everywhere, ignited by falling embers. Local residents began arriving to take shelter at the Hotel, some with burns and animals.
The town of Batlow, in NSW’s south-west, barely escaped complete destruction as fires raged all around it and smoke engulfed the area. Firefighters scrambled to save homes and douse grass fires in the township of 1300 people as the first days of the new year saw the Rural Fire Service order all Batlow residents and visitors to Kosciuszko National Park to evacuate – urgently.
It was feared two large, uncontrollable outbreaks – the 140,000-ha Dunns Road blaze near Batlow, and the 127,000-ha Green Valley blaze east of Albury – could merge during a forecast south-westerly wind change, producing catastrophic conditions.
Thousands of people partook in a mass exodus, with hundreds taking refuge at a Wagga Wagga evacuation centre, which has seen donations of food and supplies flooding in.
As Riverina Zone firies admitted defeat in the face of the approaching firestorm, Batlow Hotel owners Linda and Mathew Rudd decided to stay open, offering up the premise as a central information hub to aid people defending their properties, and providing food and bottled water.
The couple moved from Sydney two years ago to take over the pub, and have reportedly fallen in love with the area, known as the apple capital of Australia.
Amid worsening conditions they packed the car to leave, but Matthew decided last-minute to stay. He used the pub’s fire reels to put out spot fires springing up on the property, and successfully saved the Hotel, which turns 100 years’ old in 2020, telling the Daily Telegraph “I didn’t want to get out for 99”.
Victoria has also seen widespread carnage, and as fires surrounded the town of Mallacoota, blocking the road in and out, stranding 4,000 people, the town’s Hotel feared it might not be able to offer the respite so many needed … as stocks of beer ran low.
The pub was able to arrange a last-minute delivery of 3,000 litres of beer through CUB, which kicked in an extra four kegs. Due to the logistical challenge, the delivery of VB, Carlton and Strongbow will join supplies of food and fuel being transported on the HMAS Choules.
Beyond those directly affected, industry has shown exemplary support, donating time, resources and large sums of money to those battling the fires as well as its victims.
Merivale has set a fundraising target of $1 million for the NSW Rural Fire Service, with CEO Justin Hemmes kickstarting the appeal with a personal donation of $500,000.
Queensland family operation the Comiskey Group has similarly donated $100,000 to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal, which will help families rebuild their lives after the disaster.
Last week South Australia’s Hurley Hotel Group launched a donation drive, raising $50,000 for BlazeAid, rebuilding lives and literally mending missing fences in affected areas. Its volunteers, aged 12 to 85, donate time and pay their own transport, ensuring maximum funds reach their cause.
Customers can donate at all Hurley Group Hotels, including the Ivory Tavern in northern NSW, and the Hurleys will be matching each dollar raised.
The AHA NSW, in partnership with Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW, made an immediate donation of $250,000 to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal on behalf of members, to support bushfire victims.
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan says the Association will be providing additional support measures in affected communities as the full scale of the devastation becomes known.
“Pubs in regional areas are the hearts of their communities – especially in tough times like these.
“Hotels in fire devastated areas are already providing respite and relief, and have been since the fires started.”
The AHA (Vic) has committed an initial $50,000 from its Hotel Care Foundation to the Victorian Government’s Bushfire Appeal, citing member pledges of hundreds of thousands of dollars and “huge support” from corporate partners CUB, Tabcorp and Lion.
AHA (Vic) will also work with individual members to assist issues such as power outages, staffing concerns, food deliveries and general community concern and the future of members’ businesses.
The Beach Hotel in Byron Bay hosted a celebrity-studded event, Make It Rain: Fund the Firies, in support of the NSW RFS Northern Rivers and Far North Coast Brigades. It included performances by Spiderbait, Wolfmother, Tim Rogers and Tex Perkins, with tickets at $49.
Actors Chris and Liam Hemsworth appeared on stage with comedian Celeste Barber, who has been widely praised for her role in raising almost $50 million for bushfire appeals around the country. This came just days after the Hemsworth family announced their own donation of $1 million on Instagram.
Coca-Cola Amatil announced it has donated at least 250,000 bottles of water and Powerade to assist bushfire emergency crews and affected families.
CCA has also introduced a Matched Giving Appeal with the Salvation Army, matching employee donations for bushfire recovery, and MD Peter West suggests businesses need to play their part in helping out.
“Many of our own team are also volunteer firefighters and Defence Reserves, and we’re looking after them with paid leave and personal support.”
And Australian comedy royalty came together again at the Hotel Brunswick to film a TV commercial for the pub’s own “Classic Brew”, with all profits set to go to the Fire Relief Fund.
The pub is owned by former Paul Hogan Show staples John ‘Strop’ Cornell and Delvene Delaney, with business partner David Gryngell.
Committed to doing their part, they coaxed Hoges to the pub, and together kicked in $200k for the Fire Relief Fund, supporting wildlife rescue, forest repair and volunteer firefighters.
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Donate to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal HERE
Donate to the Victorian Govt bushfire appeal HERE
Donate to BlazeAid HERE
