Outback Exodus

by Dawn Millen

  “Okay, Jenn, you know why I picked you for this job and I know that you are going to be a great second. You have plenty of organisational skills and we are going to need every one of them.” Gavin stated as the last figures faded into the darkness. “We have a lot to get done and little time. We are going to have to motivate everyone to get through the work quickly.” He continued. “First we need to work out vehicles and drivers, fuel, supply transport and decide where we are going.” Gavin stated.

  I nod my head and tell Gavin that I will start lists in the morning and start gathering a crew to work on my part of the project. “As for destination, Gavin, I am not sure if going to a big town would be a good idea. Going to somewhere close to a large town or city would mean that we would be closer to help if there is any government left out there. My first thoughts are the coast, one of the smaller villages though.” I state.

  Gavin nods his head in agreement and with a smile says “We are thinking the same way there, I also was going to ask what you thought about heading for the coast. Glad we are in agreement there. I know of a small village about two hours north of Williamsville and that might be the best place to head for.”

  I smile at Gavin as I am almost certain that we are thinking about the same place. I grew up on the coast in a small village two hours north of Williamsville. “Gordon?” I ask.

  “Yes.” Gavin replied. “You are from that area aren’t you?’

  “I am from Gordon.” I tell Gavin. “It was where Ken, my late husband, and I went every year when we had a break from the farm. I always said I would go back to live one day. I have lovely memories of living there as a child.” I continue. “My only worry is the possibly that there has been a tsunami generated by the earthquake. We won’t know about that though until we get close enough for someone to scout the area.”

  Gavin’s head bobs up and down and he informs me that he has also thought about that possibility, but it is a bridge we will have to cross when we get there. We have to move on for health and safety and a destination is necessary to give the group direction.

  With this Gavin and I decide that we have gone as far as we can with our planning and will meet up again first thing and work on the vehicle issue when we are fresh in the morning. We say goodnight and head off to our respective camp sites.

  Chapter 12

  Sleep is slow to come again and I toss and turn, dozing off and on throughout the night only to be woken by ideas flying around my head. The other thing that makes me restless is the almost constant rumbles from the earth. These are still happening frequently although I pay little attention to the small ones through the daylight hours it is different through the night. Tonight the shocks feel stronger and are more frequent than during the last twenty four hours and I begin to worry that Mother Earth is getting restless again.

  I roll onto my back and look up at the stars overhead and start to plan my lists for the next day. I need a roll call of all the people who will be traveling with us and then I can work on vehicles. We will need to take some of the patients from the hospital by ambulance to enable them to have proper care during the trip. The elderly and frail and very small children would be best in a bus. We need two or three larger trucks for supplies, tents and equipment. The Police 4 x 4 truck and Fire Truck will make good lead vehicles and we need another robust vehicle for the tail position. I am also looking at the possibility of using trail bikes for checking the route ahead and working out the safest way to get our convoy through. The bikes can be used on and off road and also as scouts, they will work well. This should enable us to travel a little faster as routes across country can be marked out as we go. We then can avoid most of the sand eruptions, fallen trees and crevasses. It will make things safer for the convoy.

  I look to my left and to the other side of the fire and there is Rhys lying awake staring at the stars. Like me he is restless tonight and probably has lists running through his head too. I smile across at him as he turns his head towards me. With a nod he rolls from his sleeping bag and peeps through the tent flap to check the children. I rise and we both walk away from the camp site to the trees beyond. We will be able to talk here and not disturb the others.

  I take a seat on a fallen tree and just enjoy the night for a few moments. It is so peaceful here; darkness covers the damage from the earthquake, making it hard to realize what has happened from here.

  “Well, we have taken on a huge task.” Rhys opens the conversation after a few minutes of gentle silence.

  “I know and am chewing through the ideas in my head as fast as I can right now.” I reply.

  “Transport is going to be an issue for the supplies; we need to take so much with us because we don’t know what we will find along the way.” Rhys says in a worried tone of voice.

  “We are going to need at least two semi-trailers to carry enough supplies, tents, bedding and food for so many” I state, mentally ticking off the list of vehicles. “I hope that we have enough experienced drivers making the trip, I don’t think it is going to be an easy trip.” I continue, thinking aloud and waiting for a reply from Rhys.

  “Most of us have some experience with off road driving over the years.” He states.” I know we have at least five people who have driven semi-trailers, so we will be have enough drivers. What do you plan to do about all the children and older people?” Rhys asks, raising his dark brows.

  “I was thinking of using two buses from the school bus depot.” I reply “Seems better that we have them in buses rather than a long string of 4 x 4’s, if we used 4 x 4’s I think that we would soon run out of drivers” I continue “I am not sure how many drivers we do have, so I will have to get a list made up tomorrow.”

  “That is a great idea, Jenn, the older folks can help care for the younger ones through the day and it will help those of us who have to get the convoy through knowing that the children are in good hands.” Rhys nods his approval as he speaks.

  “I now have to work out the food requirements and get the bedding and mattresses, tents, cooking supplies and everything else that 200 plus people require for daily life” Rhys says, with a sigh.” I just hope that I remember everything. There will be no chance to restock once we leave here. It’s a long way to the next town and who knows what we will find there”. Rhys states in a matter of fact manner, though his face is already showing the strain of the last few days.

  “We will get through the work one job at a time and with plenty of willing hands it will go quickly” I smile as I tell Rhys this. “You are going to have a string of applicants to help in the morning.” I tell Rhys, “Once Doc told them that the risk of disease was getting high there were very few who objected to leaving here.” I remind him.

  I think to myself there were objections. They were muted during the meeting, but I can understand how people feel. They hate the idea of leaving their homes, familiar places and leaving the dead of the town unburied it leaves a bad taste in my mouth and in theirs too. People understand in their heads that we have to go, but in their hearts it is a difficult decision to go along with.” I muse aloud.

  A loud rumble starts deep in the earth and the log beneath me lurches suddenly and I am thrown to the ground. Jumping to my feet I grab a nearby tree to steady myself and check that Rhys is alright. He is clinging to the tree next to him as the earth heaves and shakes and ripples travel through the ground around us. We hang on for what seems like a long period of time, but I know is only minutes and once the earth stills we race back to the camp site to check on the others. The children are awake and frightened and the adults are trying to calm them. Rhys picks up Caren, holding her close and speaking softly. Soon the cries of the children turn to sobs and then to silence. The earth is quiet again for the moment. The adults look at one another and fear is written on every face.

  Chapter 13

  The sound of falling bricks and breaking glass echoes through the night and we start to move towards the hospital. We need to check on the patients and staff who are on duty
tonight. The old building is crumbling after the huge aftershock and parts are falling to the ground.

  Rhys, Raymond, Paul and Thomas grab crowbars and shovels from the trucks while Krystal and I grab first aid kits and gloves, water and ropes. Another long night is ahead of us and we just don’t know what we will find.

  The younger children are staying at the campsite with Sandra and will be safer there as it is a clear area and well away from the building and trees that may topple after the ground movements. Sandra will have young Sandy to help her with the little ones.

  Gavin is already standing at the hospital when we get there. The shock that I see on his face is reflected on the faces of the other adults who have also come to help. Half of the building has fallen in upon itself and a large column of dust is rising towards the stars. The upper floors have pancaked down upon the lower ones and steel girders are twisted at crazy angles among the piles of bricks. The main doorway is blocked by rubble and the side doors are now our only access point. The walking wounded are stumbling out of the door, blood covered and supporting one another as best they can. There are sixty people inside that building and so far only fifteen have emerged from the dust.

  Krystal and I move towards the group as they emerge and start to assist those who are struggling. So much blood is around and in the poor light it is hard to see what the injuries are. We are going to need lighting and generators here and quickly. “Gavin, can you organise lights and a generator for us please?” I call out and register his nod.

  “Rhys, Raymond. Lights and generator now.” Gavin roars above the noise of falling bricks and settling concrete.

  “On the way!” I hear as Rhys and Raymond start to run towards the fire truck.

  “Krystal, Jenn, what do you two need to get set up to help the injured?” Gavin asks

  “A clear area and at least two more first aid qualified people.” Krystal replies as she takes a small baby from one of the nurses who emerged from the building carrying the baby and with a small child clinging to her leg.

  “Set up over there in the car park.” Gavin points towards an area well away from the building. “Carmel and Dennis can assist you with the first aid until we find Helen and Tom.” Gavin assigns two more people from the volunteers to help us for the time being.

  Carmel and Dennis are older people and have volunteered with the local Rural Fire Service for many years and both are calm and gentle people. They are going to be an asset to our first aid team. Carmel beckons to a few of the teenagers who are standing around and sends them off to find blankets and more first aid kits. Dennis starts a car that is parked close by and turns on the headlights to provide more lighting until the generator can be set up. Blankets and bandages appear along with first aid equipment from the chemist and Thomas has gone back to the campsite and brought the medications that I brought with me from John Creek. We soon settle the first of the casualties on a blanket and start to work through the wounds. Many have abrasions and bruises that are not life threatening and a few have broken bones. The older children have now gathered up some small bits of timber to act as splints and this means that we can at least make them more comfortable.

  Soon the generators are set up and lights are focused on our treatment area and also on the hospital behind us. With better lighting it is easier to see what needs to be done for each patient and we start to organise a system whereby the grazes and small cuts are dealt with by Carmel. The larger cuts are dealt with by Krystal, who is also assessing the needs of each person. Dennis and I are dealing with the more serious injuries. The hours pass in a blur of blood, pain and tears. We see our rescue teams as they bring the injured to us, their weary bodies and tear filled eyes telling the story of their work without words. There are dead in the hospital, more mourning for those of us left to carry on. Dr Tom has been found, but he is badly injured and may not survive the night. Helen is working with the rescue teams now and although she is badly bruised from falling bricks and concrete she is managing to assist where she is needed. Helen has come across many times through the long hours and has assisted where we have needed her. Many times arriving just in time to close the eyes of the dead and sadly shake her head before going back to the rubble and helping those still trapped.

  The strident calls of kookaburras in the tall ghost gum, close to the centre of town, herald the rising sun. As the sun rises we can see clearly how the old building has collapsed and are amazed that anyone has come out of the building alive. There are great slabs of unbroken wall tilted at crazy angles and stair cases to nowhere reach to the sky. There is a fine column of dust still rising from the pile and dancing amidst the early beams of the sun. The side door is a hive of activity as the rescue teams go in and out bringing the survivors with them or taking equipment in to assist in getting those still trapped out.

  Sandy and two of his friends walk across the car park laden down with flasks of coffee, long life milk and sugar, boxes of breakfast cereal, bowls, cups and spoons. Sandra and the others looking after the children have organised breakfast for the rescuers and the survivors who can eat. I am not sure when I have ever seen a more welcome sight. Weariness has overtaken my body, but my mind is still churning through all that has to be done.

  “Thomas, please go and let Gavin know that breakfast is here, it is time to make sure that everyone gets something to eat.” I send Thomas off on an errand. He is accompanied by Karl who had hidden under the hospital bed during the aftershock and had emerged with the first group. Karl had no physical injuries from the falling masonry and had immediately offered his help with the injured. What scars these children are going to have to their minds is another thing and we will have to face that further along the journey.

  “Okay Jenn.” I hear as the boys set off on their errand.

  Soon all the rescuers who are able are gathered around eating and drinking coffee. Conversation is in short stilted sentences and many are unfinished as we try to gather our thoughts and strength to push on through this new disaster.

  Breakfast is eaten and the younger children clear away the debris and head back down the hill towards the camp sites while the adults talk quietly for a few more minutes. We discuss the damage to the building and the chances of survivors being in there still. The decision is made to continue the search for a further two or three hours and then to remove as many of the medications and as much equipment as we can before abandoning the building. We need to be mindful of further collapse and the rescuers being trapped and in need of rescue. The teams go off with the warning to be careful ringing in their ears. Those of us at the first aid post turn back to the task of treating those who have survived and the grim task of nursing those who will not survive.

  The hours pass and tarps are rigged over the injured at the first aid post due to the blazing summer sun. The flies, attracted by the smell of blood, gather around and the buzzing becomes just another accompaniment to the stressful day. Groans and moans from those worst injured punctuate the quiet murmurs of the survivors and first aiders. Dr Tom dies quietly and tears are shed for this dedicated man as he leaves this world. Dr Tom is not the only one to die though and quiet tears are shed for many that morning.

  Lunch time is called when the children bring more food, coffee and water up the hill and stock is taken of progress. There have been no signs of life among the rubble for the past hour and sadly Gavin calls off the rescue mission. The teams are downcast, but we now need to concentrate on clearing the medications and equipment we will need as quickly as possible. A role of the living is taken and also a list of the dead too. The living out weigh the dead at the moment, but there are still several people whose injuries are very severe and with the limited equipment and medical help they will not survive. Sadly the team at the first aid post know this and although we are doing our best we concede that there will be further deaths throughout the day. Five of the nurses have been found alive, three are relatively uninjured, but two have injuries, one will be okay in a few days, but Andrew wil
l not, his injuries are too severe and we cannot help him. The death toll is growing again and we now will not put our faith in buildings no matter their strength. We will all be sheltered under tarpaulins or canvas until the earth settles once more.

  The rescue teams head down the hill to the campsite and start to set up a tent hospital for us to work from. They take with them what equipment and medications that they have been able to pull from the rubble and Dr Helen goes with them to organise the set up. Those of us left at the first aid post continue the grim task of dealing with the injured and dying.

  Chapter 14

  Most of the walking wounded have left with the rescue teams to assist with the hospital set up, but some have stayed on to help with family and friends more seriously injured. Their help is greatly appreciated as it frees the rest of us to concentrate on the worst cases. The loss of life through the afternoon continues and by the time the ambulance drives the last person back down the hill we take a count and from the sixty in the hospital at the time of the collapse there are only thirty five left alive. Three of them will not live through the night and two more may not make it either. The loss to our group is huge. We now number a little under two hundred men, women and children. One hundred of these are children or the elderly, so there are one hundred younger adults to care for everyone else. This is going to be a big job.

  Sunset sees Rhys arriving with a utility truck to take the rest of the equipment down the hill and the weary crew from the first aid post climb on top of the gear for the short ride down to the camp site. The tent town has grown since this morning and tarpaulins are rigged from every available point to cover everyone. Camp fires glow and the smell of cooking food is everywhere. My mouth waters and my stomach rumbles as the savoury smells reach us. I am hungry, tired and dispirited for the moment.