By Steve Meacher
Toolangi community leader Steve Meacher reflects on how Black Saturday brought people closer together.
During the Black Saturday fires and for several days afterwards, the communities of Toolangi and Castella were largely isolated from the outside world.
The power had gone off on Saturday afternoon, mobile phones stopped working as the networks went down or batteries ran out.
Roads in and out were closed and officers on the roadblocks weren’t saying much.
Taking matters into our own hands, we arranged our first community meeting on the Tuesday.
People preferred to remain outside so the meeting took place on the steps of the local hall.
The police and CFA came and provided information on what had happened and was still happening all around us.
For the first time the enormity of the situation began to emerge.
During the meeting a van arrived from Healesville delivering egg and bacon rolls and fresh milk.
These were eagerly devoured by grateful residents who had had no electricity or fresh supplies for almost three days.
A truck full of goods then arrived, sent on from Kinglake, and everybody joined in unloading and sorting the donations and laying out tables in the hall.
Before we knew it, the hall had been transformed into a community relief centre.
Over the next few days it became an information and logistics centre, co-ordinating cleaning of ash-tainted water tanks and delivery of fresh water supplies, removal of dangerous trees and other essential services.
It remained open for the next six weeks, providing fresh supplies for residents who were unable to get to the shops.
A generator was soon installed, enabling charging of mobile phones.
It also powered a portable cool room for shared storage of perishables.
Telstra installed an antenna for internet access so locals could contact friends and family.
Internet connection also allowed access to information on road closures and progress of fires.
Mail was delivered to the hall and a system was developed for prescriptions to be filled.
Being cut off from the outside world, the people of Toolangi and Castella became closer to each other.
They shared what they had and gave what they could spare to neighbours who needed it.
Community meals were provided at the Toolangi Tavern and the Singing Gardens and sandwiches and refreshments were also provided to support the ongoing fire-fighting effort in the surrounding forests.
When the Community Recovery Committee was set up it was determined that the spirit of closeness and co-operation that had flourished during the fires should be maintained and encouraged.
A number of projects were proposed that now provide community assets including the Castella Central Park and the Tall Trees Trail.
The hall and community house that were such important centres in our response during the fires have been upgraded.
Community dinners have been reintroduced with great success.
The fires of February 2009 were a great tragedy but they also brought out the best in our communities.
Toolangi and Castella are now stronger and more connected than ever.
We know we are there for each other when really needed.
