emotion. We have to find some positives to put before the meeting to lift the mood. Krystal and I start to think of positives to put to the meeting. Walking and talking as we wander back to the others. It’s hard to be a “Pollyanna” when the world is falling apart around you, but we will find something to lift the mood.
Dinner is a fairly subdued meal even with the smaller children playing around and with little Caren gurgling away as she sits propped up against a pile of pillows. Her smile is wide and sweet as she watches us eating. Caren stretches out her hands towards the food and I pass her a biscuit to suck on much to her delight.
Soon dinner is finished and everything cleaned away. The dogs are fed and tethered to the truck once again after a short run in the sunset cool of the day. Sandy fetches water for them and the other young ones tidy up the camp and gather more wood for the fire. It is almost time to make our way to the sports oval for tonight’s meeting. I am hoping that there are good ideas and some positive things to have come from today.
Chapter 15
Rhys, Raymond and Paul walk ahead of Sandra, K rystal and I towards the sports oval. The children rush about from the men to the women and everywhere in-between as we take that short walk. There are large groups greeting each other along the way, saying G’day and checking on the welfare of others. The community spirit in this tiny town in the outback is what has made Australia liveable. Mateship overcomes hardship so often out here. There are always helping hands and a shoulder to lean on. This land is harsh with its droughts and floods, but this is the worst that I have seen in my 35 years on this planet. Here we are though, still pulling together as a community, caring for and sharing with each other.
Gavin is standing on the steps of the grandstand. He is now out of police uniform, but still has the appearance of command. At six feet three inches and broad shouldered he towers over most of the men in town and has earned the respect of the townsfolk for his hard work and fairness during his ten years in the town. His bright blue eyes scan the crowd below us and he clears his throat. The meeting is about to begin.
There is a stirring at the back of the crowd and the people part as through the throng stagger three men.
“Oh bloody hell.” Gavin’s says quietly. “I forgot with all that was going on at the hospital to put a guard on the bottle shop, those three have been hitting the grog.” He continues. “John Evans, Andrew Brown and Kelvin Slim are all trouble when they get drunk.”
The men on the committee gather around Gavin as they hear the worried tones. Drunks making trouble could derail the meeting and quickly. There are always malcontents in the community and now we have three of them drunk. No one is sure what is going to happen next.
John weaves and stumbles towards the stage and Andrew and Kelvin flop down on the ground at the front of the crowd. It is time to begin the meeting. Gavin again straightens up and clears his throat.
“Okay folks tim e to get this show on the road.” He roars over the noise of the crowd. People rustle as they settle down slowly. Children quiet and sit wide eyed watching the front. We are ready to begin.
“I have sad news for everyone and it is difficult to sa y this, so please bear with me.” Gavin begins, his voice breaking with emotion. “Twenty five of our community died last night and this morning due to the collapse of the hospital and there are several more who may not make it through the next few days. I do want to thank the rescue teams and the first aid post team though for all your help through the night and today.” Gavin continues, his voice gaining strength and purpose. “I think we have all learned a valuable lesson from today. We cannot use buildings no matter how strong they look until the risk of earthquake and aftershock is over. We just cannot afford to lose others from
Dinner is a fairly subdued meal even with the smaller children playing around and with little Caren gurgling away as she sits propped up against a pile of pillows. Her smile is wide and sweet as she watches us eating. Caren stretches out her hands towards the food and I pass her a biscuit to suck on much to her delight.
Soon dinner is finished and everything cleaned away. The dogs are fed and tethered to the truck once again after a short run in the sunset cool of the day. Sandy fetches water for them and the other young ones tidy up the camp and gather more wood for the fire. It is almost time to make our way to the sports oval for tonight’s meeting. I am hoping that there are good ideas and some positive things to have come from today.
Chapter 15
Rhys, Raymond and Paul walk ahead of Sandra, K rystal and I towards the sports oval. The children rush about from the men to the women and everywhere in-between as we take that short walk. There are large groups greeting each other along the way, saying G’day and checking on the welfare of others. The community spirit in this tiny town in the outback is what has made Australia liveable. Mateship overcomes hardship so often out here. There are always helping hands and a shoulder to lean on. This land is harsh with its droughts and floods, but this is the worst that I have seen in my 35 years on this planet. Here we are though, still pulling together as a community, caring for and sharing with each other.
Gavin is standing on the steps of the grandstand. He is now out of police uniform, but still has the appearance of command. At six feet three inches and broad shouldered he towers over most of the men in town and has earned the respect of the townsfolk for his hard work and fairness during his ten years in the town. His bright blue eyes scan the crowd below us and he clears his throat. The meeting is about to begin.
There is a stirring at the back of the crowd and the people part as through the throng stagger three men.
“Oh bloody hell.” Gavin’s says quietly. “I forgot with all that was going on at the hospital to put a guard on the bottle shop, those three have been hitting the grog.” He continues. “John Evans, Andrew Brown and Kelvin Slim are all trouble when they get drunk.”
The men on the committee gather around Gavin as they hear the worried tones. Drunks making trouble could derail the meeting and quickly. There are always malcontents in the community and now we have three of them drunk. No one is sure what is going to happen next.
John weaves and stumbles towards the stage and Andrew and Kelvin flop down on the ground at the front of the crowd. It is time to begin the meeting. Gavin again straightens up and clears his throat.
“Okay folks tim e to get this show on the road.” He roars over the noise of the crowd. People rustle as they settle down slowly. Children quiet and sit wide eyed watching the front. We are ready to begin.
“I have sad news for everyone and it is difficult to sa y this, so please bear with me.” Gavin begins, his voice breaking with emotion. “Twenty five of our community died last night and this morning due to the collapse of the hospital and there are several more who may not make it through the next few days. I do want to thank the rescue teams and the first aid post team though for all your help through the night and today.” Gavin continues, his voice gaining strength and purpose. “I think we have all learned a valuable lesson from today. We cannot use buildings no matter how strong they look until the risk of earthquake and aftershock is over. We just cannot afford to lose others from
Similar Books
