Ferrying fire crews

By Jade Lawton
IN TIMES of crisis, heroes can emerge from the most unlikely places.
The bus drivers at Cardinia Transit have been working overtime in the past weeks, ferrying fresh CFA crews to the fire fronts at Kinglake and Bunyip.
Many have decided to donate their overtime pay to the bushfire appeal.
Charter co-ordinator Claire Ginger said the drivers had been answering calls at 2am or 3am, coming in to do shifts of 12 hours or more without a grumble.
Some have slept overnight in their buses at the fire- affected regions, ready to take home a load of weary CFA volunteers in the morning.
They described Kinglake as “pretty horrific,” with the land now resembling something more like the surface of the moon than a forest hamlet.
In some cases, the drivers were lending an ear to others overcome with the grief of the situation.
“There was one junior chaplain up there just wandering around looking for people to talk to. He was the one for people to go to if they want to talk, but he had no-one. So he came to us to let out some of his emotions. All the volunteers are doing a great job up there,” Darryl Goldfinch said.
“The firefighters were in good spirits, but when they arrive in Kinglake they just go quiet,” Ron Pearson said.
“It affects them. Some were very emotional.”
“One firefighter told me how he went up to Kinglake and passed a big kangaroo standing still in the middle of the road. They came down the hill 10 hours later and it was still standing there in the same spot – it was terrified,” Gavin Boloski said.
“I’m a kiwi; I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“It’s amazing how everyone’s pulling together. I stopped for some soup in Kinglake West, and this lady recommended the soup, said it was lovely; John Brumby had it that very morning. And then he had to run straight to the toilet! That sense of humour is still there,” Mr Pearson said.
The buses have CFA signs displayed at the front — something that has earned toots and waves from appreciative motorists.
Ms Ginger said the drivers, who all live locally, were modest about their contribution.
They will continue driving the CFA crews until the fires are extinguished.