By Renae Smyth
The routine of pulling on a bib has provided a sense of normality that locals have longed for since bushfires ravaged their beloved country town.
Already a regular meeting point for the netball, cricket and football families, the Buchan Recreation Reserve had become a safe sanctum for the community when the fires were at their worst. A shelter from the flames and the chance to wash away a day of braving the fire front.
For those who had lost everything, those forced to evacuate and those without power – it was a place to call home. And what’s a home without a family?
Having someone to talk and share a meal with, is how Buchan Football Netball Club Secretary Susie Edwards believed the club could help heal the battered community.
“We have been putting on barbeques every Thursday to bring everyone together. We didn’t want anyone to be alone – everything was black,” Susie said.
“It’s a long road and of course people will have their ups and down. But if everyone sticks together and helps each other out – we’ll be right.”
The clubhouse kitchen quickly became a centre circle – with a pulse. A well-oiled engine that was feeding the masses as an orange glow hung over the hills behind the oval.
It’s crazy to think that something as simple as a sausage on bread lifted the spirits of Buchan locals and exhausted emergency personnel. But it was just what they needed.
“I went through 150 paper plates one night – we had fed more than 150 people,” Susie said.
And although this doesn’t sound like much, for a town of less than 500 people – this was big. And a real sign of their strength.
Committee member and senior player, Adele Turra helped to coordinate efforts in the kitchen, describing the week as “emotional” and an experience she will never forget.
“Even the people who had lost everything were helping to unload trucks and pitching in to make sandwiches,” Adele said.
“The community spirit within this town is something you just can’t put into words – we were a whole family and there to support each other.”
NETBALL SUPPORT Junee spirit drives donations for bushfire relief
Getting stuck in and focusing on the positives, has seen the community make giant steps forward in returning to some level of normality.
When times are tough, the saying about lemons and lemonade is often heard. But Buchan have put their own country twist on the optimistic mantra after a generous donation of more than 1000 apples.
“All of the Buchan women came together to peel apples to make apple crumble for everyone - it gave us the chance to connect and talk about anything but the fires.” Adele said.
It’s obvious that Buchan is tough. But if their apple crumble is anything to go by, the Football Netball club might just have the recipe to recovery.
