On December 30,as fire raged through the state’s far east,10 members of Sikh Volunteers Australia packed a van with food and water and headed from their base in Devon Meadows,in Melbourne's south east,toward the smoke.
“We didn’t know where to go exactly,” said organiser Lakhwinder Singh 34.
“We were trying to contact the local council but we were unable to make any contact. We just heard that there is a fire and we must go.”
Through a Gippsland fires Facebook page the group contacted Bairnsdale neighbourhood Centre boss Leanne Jennings who advised where their help was most needed. The neighbourhood centre also assisted with accommodation and extra cooking facilities.
The Sikhs based their food service at the relief centre at the Bairnsdale football ground. On the first night they served more than 100 meals and were still feeding people at 1.30 am."The Red Cross and the Salvation Army were there but there was still a great need,” explains Mr Singh.
Undeterred by the smoke and confusion the Sikhs also travelled to other fire-threatened communities including Lakes Entrance. On Thursday they helped feed anxious locals and travellers at Orbost until the town was evacuated. “Everybody had to leave from there,” says Mr Singh.