Tragic memory inspires bushfire appeal

STEVE Payne and his daughter Janelle Giblin's nightmares from Ash Wednesday have inspired them to open their hearts and wallets for victims of the Victorian bushfires.They told The Standard how images of the devastation brought back memories of their own district tragedies.Mrs Giblin wants to send boxes of toiletries and non-perishable food to needy families, while Mr Payne has offered his earthmoving equipment to the fire-fighting teams. Mrs Giblin was only seven years old when she was evacuated from Nullawarre North Primary School as fierce flames engulfed the farming district 26 years ago.The fires killed her uncle and neighbours, ravaged her family's farm and contributed to the death of her mother two years ago."It was horrific. The memories are as fresh today as if it happened yesterday," she said."At first I didn't even want to watch the coverage on TV because of the horror memories. At least we had warning to flee, but people caught up in the weekend fires didn't even have time."Those who survived have got nothing left, not even a toothbrush."I know lots of people will be donating money, but I want to do something physically - the simple things that they need. "Mrs Giblin is organising an appeal through her Allansford playgroup network and hopes to canvass the whole town, seeking donations of toiletries, non-perishable food items and pet food."I've been through it and know that weeks after the fire when all the media attention has gone there's a real need," she said."We had people staying in our house who had been left with nothing."Mrs Giblin and her father, Steve Payne, described how the Ash Wednesday fires had left them with lifetime emotional scars.Mr Payne said the fire trauma had also contributed to the death of his wife Lorraine two years ago. "She went through hell, not knowing if Janelle or I had been killed in the fires until about 11pm that night," he said."The trauma left her with a lot of problems."Mr Payne recalled how he left the family farm at Nullawarre to help other volunteer firefighters and then returned to save the property.He and Ron Kermond had called at the school to tell everyone to evacuate ahead of the fire fronts, not knowing where Janelle would go for refuge.He also telephoned his wife in Warrnambool telling her to stay there for safety. Then he and his uncle, Merv Thomas, tried to herd their cattle to safety before the flames turned on them.Mr Payne escaped to the house and its green lawns, but unfortunately Mr Thomas was trapped while attempting to open a gate for the cattle.His charred body was found the next morning."He was like a second father to me. My own dad died when I was six and uncle Merv had been a father figure," Mr Payne said."It's hard for people to understand the loss from a bushfire when they haven't been through it. It broke my spirit. We rebuilt the farm and lasted another seven years, then I got out and sold up."I was lucky that our house was saved. These people last weekend lost everything."One of the good things that came out of it all was the amazing generosity of people who helped out."He plans to travel to Kilmore to help a friend who runs an orphanage for children from war-torn nations.Donations to Mrs Giblin's appeal can be made by phoning 0407 526 289.