Why the need for Black Summer bushfire support?

On New Year’s Eve 2019, at 3.28am, the phones of Bermagui residents started to buzz with alerts to evacuate immediately. In the following 36 hours of darkness, the Surf Life Saving Club of this small beachside town on NSW’s South Coast became the refuge of around 5000 people.

As the Club performed such a vital role during the Black Summer bushfire, the Australian Government is providing more than $105,000 to support the upgrade to the external deck to enable the facility to maintain its role as an emergency evacuation centre for Bermagui residents.

Fleeing from the raging fires that surrounded Bermagui, thousands of people “camped” in and around the Clubhouse. People who had grabbed just a few possessions were sleeping in their cars if they could, or were just waiting around in the Club carpark or nearby playing fields. For the next day and a half Bermagui and its new influx of people did not see the dawn as there was no light filtering through the thick mass of bushfire smoke in the sky.

Surrounded by fires; the need for Black Summer bushfire support

Euan McKenzie, Bermagui Surf Life Saving Club President, recalled how things unfolded during this eventful time. He spoke of how Club members, many of whom were evacuees themselves, worked tirelessly over this period to help manage the people seeking safety from the fires that surrounded Bermagui. The Club provided a location for local doctors and nurses to attend where first aid was needed. A key function of the Club, despite lack of electricity and other essential services, was that it provided a central place for the different agencies like SES workers and members of the Marine Rescue to share information where and when they could.

Influx of 5000 people

“Before long there was 5000 people in and around the surf club. There were thirty-six hours of darkness, with no electricity, no phone, no anything, and that’s when we had to stay strong together as a community. One thing we did was at least share information when we could, so people felt that they were being informed as much as they could be.”

Funding for safety

During the Black Summer bushfires the Bermagui SLSC performed an essential role as the regional evacuation and staging centre. In recognition of this, Black Summer Bushfire Recovery program (BSBR) funding has been provided to support upgrading the Club to a higher fire safety level.

Euan spoke about the importance of the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grant for the enhancement of the Club as it plays an important role in the local community as an evacuation centre and as a central place for many social activities.

“The funding has been used to make this safe place into a safe building as well. We’ve got a new fire-retardant deck allowing people to gather safely, particularly in times of emergency.”

About this project

Who: Bermagui Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Inc.

What: The upgrade to Bermagui SLSC deck will enable the facility to maintain its role as an emergency evacuation centre for the community and surrounding area..

Program funding: Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program

Benefits delivered: The Club is an integral part of the local community and it:

• Maintains the status of the Bermagui SLSC as a regional evacuation and staging point in the event of natural or other disaster.

• Provides a community education centre that services surf life club member development programs, aquatic safety and recreation programs inclusive of people of all abilities, and community education.

• Provides community and member training programs in water safety, emergency care and basic first aid.

• Provides a central venue for community meetings, gatherings, seminars and workshops.

Project end date: 31 March 2023.