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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (30 January) . . Page.. 13 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

I thank the media-in particular, the ABC, WIN news and the Canberra Times-for their efforts. I single out two people. Julie Derritt, early on Saturday afternoon, did not follow normal programming. Instead of going to sport as programmed, she said, "I think this is more important. We will stay on the air and tell you what is unfolding in our suburbs."She is to be commended.

Most people would know that on the night of the fires ABC television had their first local weekend news bulletin for many years. The presenter, Craig Allen, who would be known to many in this building, lives in Duffy. When presenting reports about homes lost in Duffy, Craig did not know whether one of them was his. The professionalism of these two people is to be commended.

In the time available it is probably impossible to thank everyone who needs to be thanked. To those I have missed I offer my apologies but I also offer them my thanks. I thank everyone who has contributed to our efforts to recover from this disaster.

Fire does not go away. It is part of the Australian nature and environment, and it will always be with us. Whatever else we do, we must remember this basic fact and do all we can to prepare for it.

MRS CROSS (11.06): Mr Speaker, I rise today to express my solidarity, gratitude and support to my fellow citizens of Canberra in our collective ordeal during this year's bushfires.

If anything positive has come out of the recent destruction of parts of our beautiful city, it is that rest of Australia saw the true soul of the nation's capital during this time of unimaginable loss, heartache and trauma. They saw a city in crisis as ordinary people did extraordinary deeds. Day became night that Saturday afternoon, and as the fires bore down on our bush capital, the whole community joined hands to fight the beast, the likes of which many of us had never seen before.

A spot fire broke out in the pine plantation just up from my home. Neighbours came hurrying from their homes with buckets, wheelie bins and lengths of hose which were coupled together to bring a pretty limp flow of water to the blaze that was being fanned furiously by the winds, driving across from the Mount Taylor/Athllon Drive area. About two hours later we were pretty sure the fire was out, and this had been made possible only by the spontaneous and selfless action of a group of people, some of whom had been brought together for the first time through exceptional circumstances.

As we fought our fire, across the city, under a blood red sky, as the flames and smoke were carried by gale force winds, similar stories were unfolding by the minute. Firefighters, emergency services and police officers were overwhelmed as the gates of hell confronted them at every corner. 532 homes were engulfed that day. When the owners of those homes could do no more, they stretched out their hands in friendship and turned to help their neighbours.

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