Anchor CEO John Devine thanks South Australian Eddy Barrett for his volunteer work. By Monique Ebrington
SOUTH Australian bushfire volunteer Eddy Barrett was refused entry into Healesville Recovery Centre, last Tuesday, before police were called to remove him from the area.
Mr Barrett had worked as a volunteer at the Healesville Relief Centre for five days prior to it being changed over to a Recovery Centre.
A businessman and member of the Variety children’s charity, Mr Barrett told the Mail he drove his car and caravan, both full of food and sleeping gear to Healesville, a week prior to the incident for whoever needed them the most.
He said both car and caravan were allocated to people through emergency housing foundation Anchor.
Mr Barrett flew home and returned with his retired fire tuck, used for Variety events, and his continued eagerness to help with bushfire relief.
Mr Barrett said he went to walk into the centre and ask who needed help, as he had been doing, only to find the security guard’s hand against his chest stopping him from entering the centre.
“He said, ‘You cannot come in.’ When I asked why he would not answer me,” Mr Barrett said.
“I asked to see the team leader who, after about an hour, decided to stroll out. The only explanation he could give me was he didn’t know me and I had to get police clearance.”
Mr Barrett told the shire officer that he had current federal police clearance through DSTO in Adelaide for his work.
Mr Barrett phoned Anchor’s Peter Dinsdale who told him to wait at the centre so he could verify who Mr Barrett was.
In the meantime police from Healesville had been called and escorted Mr Barrett back to his booked motel room.
Council spokesperson James Martin said management was acting in the interest of the people using the centre.
“Relief and Recovery centres deal with very vulnerable people of all ages and it is critical that any volunteers present are fully vetted and are capable of offering specialist advice and care ranging from counselling to direct assistance.”
“While he had completed an online volunteer registration form for people offering general support, he had not been authorised by the Municipal Emergency Co-ordination Centre to act in a formal capacity at the Recovery Centre.”
Mr Martin said that Mr Barrett was given an alternate contact so that he could continue with the relief and recovery efforts.
“The gentleman was advised that if he wished to assist with the provision of labour or any services that he should contact the shire’s recovery sub-plan co-ordinator who would be more than happy to direct him to where his services were needed,” Mr Martin said.
“Our understanding is that the gentleman did subsequently provide valuable support to other agencies, which is greatly appreciated.”
Mr Barrett left for his Adelaide West home the day after the incident and said he was unhappy about his treatment.
“I’m leaving Healesville with a sour taste in my mouth and I’m going to think twice about going out to help next time,” Mr Barrett said.
