Outback Exodus

by Dawn Millen

  I am feeling tired now as last night’s shift catches up with me. The sun’s glare is intense and starting to give me a headache. I glance at the clock on the dashboard and it is almost 2pm. Time to look for somewhere to set up camp for the night. We have covered a little over 30 miles today. It is a good start considering how often we stop and start, divert and check on the homesteads.

  “Thomas, its Jenn, are you listening in?” I call across the general wavelength on radio 1.

  “Yeah, Jenn, I can hear you.” The reply comes back fast from Thomas.

  “Time for you to look around for a campsite for all of us mate. Remember, not too far from the road, we must have a good water supply and plenty of room. Thanks for all your hard work today.” My voice breaks on the last as I yawn widely.

  “Okay Jenn. We are on it.” Thomas says and I see the bikes zoom off at his hand signals.

  Not long after there is a crackle as the airwaves are broken and Thomas proceeds to tell us he has found the perfect site.

  “It’s about 500 yards from the road and screened by trees. Plenty of room, a big dam with a stream running in and out. The water is clear and tastes okay.” His breaking voice zooms up and down the scale quickly as he relays the information.

  “Great job Thomas.” I tell him. “Come to the road and guide us all into the spot mate.” I finish.

  Very quickly there is a puff of dust off to the left and there is Thomas, a big grin showing through the face guard of his helmet and with a thumbs up and a beckoning motion we follow Thomas to our first campsite of the journey.

  It is a perfect spot; a billabong with a gentle stream running in and out keeps the water fresh and clear. Trees line one side and can be used as a wind break and for fuel for the cooking fires. There is a huge amount of space for all the vehicles and tents. We can settle comfortably here for the night.

  Soon the place is a hive of activity as tents are erected, fires are lit for cooking and everyone settles for a rest from the travel.

  I head over to the hospital area and check on our patients and find everyone is very good spirits. James is tired, but excited at the prospect of a night in a different place. His bed is set up near the tent flap and he is sitting in the wheelchair, strapped in and watching the activity around him. Many of the patients have been discharged into the care of friends and family, so tonight there are only ten beds to watch over. It is wonderful to see them all getting better again. Many have casts on their arms and legs, but this is not slowing them down at all. They are out there and helping as much as they can. Those with broken legs are building fires and setting pots of water on to heat for stews for dinner. Those with broken arms are gathering wood with the younger children and a lady with two broken legs is propped by a tree with three tiny babies around her, she is caring for them so that their families can assist us to set up camp. Caren is cuddled up with an elderly lady with bruises on her face, who is holding her on her hip, while she sits amid a group of small toddlers telling them a story. The child care has been organised by the former patients themselves and it is going to work beautifully.

  Once the tent is erected I let the dogs have a run and take the three children with me. Robin and Tammy run ahead surrounded by the four dogs and there are happy barks and contented giggles from the children. Caren smiles happily in my arms and it is a contented period of time for me as my headache lifts and the laughter of the children soars to meet the blue of the summer sky.

  It is soon time to turn around and head back to the tents. Time for me to rest for night shift and dinner should be ready. The dogs bound ahead pulled forward by the smells of cooking and Robin and Tammy race behind them giggling as they stumble over the exposed roots of the trees. On arrival I feed the hungry dogs and settle them on their chains for the night. Puppy is curled in a contented ball at my feet while I eat my dinner and keeps looking at me with big brown eyes. I can almost hear her saying “Is any of that dinner for me.” Greedy little girl that she is, everything I eat she wants to eat too.

  I rinse my dish in the large bowl by the fire and head off to lay down on my sleeping bag for the few hours’ sleep I will get tonight.

  Chapter 25

  I fall on my sleeping bag and doze off to sleep quickly as the sun goes down. It’s been a long day on top of a very busy night. I don’t hear a thing until Sandra comes to wake me just on midnight. Sandra hands me the steaming mug of coffee she is holding in her right hand and then flops down on the sleeping bag beside me.

  “Our party just grew by five in the last hour.” She says with a grin. “A family saw the dust trail and decided to come out and investigate. They arrived just an hour ago and are getting settled now. Two more adults and three kids, not a scratch on any of them either.” She finished, knowing that I would want to know if they needed help.

  “Do they have food, tents and bedding?” I ask quickly

  “Yes, and clothes, the dog is also with them.” Sandra replies. “The vehicle is a 4 x 4 too, so they should present no problems as far as transport goes.”

  “That is good news; I was worried for a moment that we would need to find room in the other vehicles if necessary. Still we can always find room for a few more. It just means putting kids on adult laps and I am pretty sure that Gavin won’t be handing out tickets if we have to do that at some stage.” I laugh as I say the last words, the image of Gavin, ticket book in hand; wandering up and down the convoy handing out tickets seems laughable.

  “Where are they camped?” I ask Sandra “I will go over and introduce myself on the way to my shift at the hospital tent.” I tell her.

  “They are in the old green and cream 4 x 4 with the trailer on that is parked just behind our tents.” Sandra informs me and goes on to say “They won’t need an intro; this will be more of a reunion for you.” She smiles widely and opens the flap.

  There standing outside is my sister Jasmine and her family. The twin boys David and Jacob and her daughter Carol have grown so much since I last saw them six months ago. Jasmine jumps forward and throws her arms around my neck in a huge hug. Her husband Stewart smiling enfolds us both in a bear hug and the children try and squirm into the family cuddle. Jasmine’s dog Diamond is tail wagging at the sitting position and waiting for a pat. Tears of joy course down our faces as our family holds each other close.

  “Who put manure in your boots?” I ask David and Jacob, their identical faces are looking at me and I try once again to sort out who is who. “Okay, tell your Auntie Jenn which of you is which before I get totally confused.” I say to the 10 year old faces.

  “I am David and I have this scar on my face, Jacob has no scar so it’s easy to tell us apart.” David giggles as he points to a small scar just above his right eye. I laugh down at his solemn face and tell him that I remember him doing that long before Uncle Ken died. He was running around at the farm and ran right into the door post.

  Carol hangs back just a little, her tiny face surrounded by wild blonde curls. At just five years old she doesn’t know me as well as the boys do and is just a little shy. Hardly surprising though as she has also been thrust into a situation that is so out of the ordinary. Jasmine draws her forward gently and places her in front of me. Her deep brown eyes glow behind those beautiful curls and she smiles shyly. I lean down and touch those soft curls and smooth them away from her face and then her smile lights up her face. She remembers me doing that so often last time we were together. “Hewo Auntie Jenn.” She lisps quietly. “Where is puppy, I want to play with her.” She has not forgotten the friendship that she formed with puppy during the week that the family came to stay at the farm.

  “Puppy is sleeping in the fire truck.” I tell her and she scampers over to the truck to open the door and scramble up to play with her friend.

  “Jasmine, I have to go across to the hospital now and help out.” I tell my sister. “Do you want to come over and chat when I get my breaks or are you still setting up here?” I fire questions quickly as I am going to be late
if I don’t get going soon.

  “I’ll come over shortly.” Jasmine says. “We need to catch up and find out what has happened to each other so I need to talk to you.”

  Jasmine and I are close as we lost our parents when we were in our teens and have been each other’s closest confidents ever since. As I am the oldest I had taken on the mothering role with Jasmine and we had always shared our problems. They always seemed lighter when we shared them. I had been worried about my sister and her family, but as I had not been able to contact them had hoped that they were okay. To my joy those hopes had been realized, Jasmine had found me.

  As I step away from the family I turn to look back and wave, walk a few more step and turn to gaze at them again. I am finding it hard to believe that they have survived and we are together again. Finally I turn towards the hospital, take a deep breath and continue walking towards the single tent that now comprises our hospital.

  Chapter 26

  Krystal is already in the tent when I arrive and Helen is curled up on a stretcher in the corner. James is awake and propped on pillows. The other seven patients are sleeping quietly. I am hoping for a quiet night tonight.

  “Hey James, how are you doing?” I ask as I walk over to the bed.

  “I am good Jenn, not too much pain; Helen gave me some morphine a little earlier though as it had crept up to a seven on the pain scale.” James smiles at me as he fills me in on his pain. “I did have a fantastic day though Jenn, I never thought that I would leave Smithtown again. The destruction is terrible from the earthquake, but I know that you are all strong enough to rebuild and make new lives no matter what you find. I just hope that I can hang on for a while and see how things go. I am planning on it for sure.” His blue eyes twinkle as he says this and his lips are set in a very determined line.

  “I have a feeling that you just might hang around for a while too James.” I say. “I have seen people who are determined to hang on do so for far longer than medical science can account for. You have a very strong will and I have the feeling that it will burn for quite a while yet.” I finish with a smile.

  “Think I’d better get some shut eye though girl.” James says quietly. “It’s going to be another long day tomorrow. G’night Jenn.”

  “Goodnight James, sleep well.” I say as I settle his pillows and he snuggles beneath the light blanket on the bed.

  I quietly walk towards the tent flap and the two folding chairs and a table that are sitting just outside. Krystal is already there and settled with a coffee in her hand. There is another steaming mug on the table waiting for me. I take a mouthful and grimace, I never was fond of long life milk, but that is all we have for the moment, so it will have to do.

  “What a surprise you would have had to see Jasmine.” Krystal states as I settle in the chair beside her.

  “It was a bit of a shock to be honest Krystal. I had hoped that they had come through okay, but I had to wait to check on them to get this convoy organised and everyone out of Smithtown.” I say. “I knew we would be passing their place on the way to Gunnedah and had planned on stopping there to check on them and see if they wanted to come with us.” I finish quietly.

  “Looks like they have made the decision to come with us mate.” Krystal says with a smile. “Jasmine was over the moon when she found us and then to hear that you were okay had made her day. They were heading through to John Creek and then out to your property when they found us.” She said.

  We both look behind us as a quiet murmur and a rustle is heard. Someone is turning over in their sleep and we watch until they are settled again. Soon the tent is quiet again and only the dim glow of a dying torch lights the space.

  “It’s a great way to use up the older batteries that are running out of charge, whose idea was this?” I ask Krystal as the movement inside the tent stops.

  “My ever practical husband thought of it. I mentioned that is was harder for the patients to sleep with a full torch light and impossible for us to navigate between the beds without light. His idea was to use up the old batteries that were fading to light the hospital.” Krystal says, proud of Raymond’s practical streak.

  “No wonder it bloody works then, Raymond is always full of good ideas and a very practical person.” I say smiling at Krystal.

  We talk quietly for a while and glance back through the tent flap often to check on our patients. All remains quiet behind us though. Everyone is tired from the travel. Even though we did not get a great deal of distance between us and Smithtown it was exhausting for those still recovering from injuries.

  Footsteps rustle through the grass towards the tent and Krystal and I both look up. A tiny figure of a woman with long dark hair emerges from the darkness and Jasmine smiles as she comes towards the table.

  “Got a spare coffee and a seat for a tired sister?” She asks.

  “Sure have, pull up a log and sit down.” Krystal stands and heads for the coffee mugs and the kettle swinging above the glowing fire.

  Coffee’s in hand the three of us sit quietly for a while and just enjoy the stillness of the night. A Tawny Frog Mouth calls softly into the night and is answered by its mate. The gentle sounds of night are around us and we sit and just relax with our coffee and each other.

  “Okay you two fill me in on everything that has happened since the quake and don’t miss a thing.” Jasmine opens the conversation quietly.

  Krystal and I smile at each other and I start to tell Jasmine what has been happening to me since the quake. I tell her that Rhys, Caren and I are the only survivors from John Creek that we could find. Sadness tinging my voice as I list the mutual friends who did not make it out alive.

  Krystal then tells the tale of how her family and Sandra’s were camping down near the billabong just outside of Smithtown when the quake struck and that is probably the only reason that they all survived. Both houses had been totally demolished by the quake.

  I then take up the story of how we have all been working together to get everyone away from the town. I skim quickly over the collapse of the hospital and the loss of life there. Then go into the preparation for the journey and tell Jasmine where we are heading.

  Jasmine then fills us in on how they all survived the quake as Carol had been sick and they had been heading for the local hospital when it struck. It was chance only that they were not home and when they turned around to drive home they found the house partially collapsed and were able to get inside and retrieve many of their possessions, clothing, bedding and food. Diamond had come creeping out from under the edge of the garage just after they had arrived home and their family was complete.

  A couple of hours talking covered all that had happened to all of us and soon we were sitting contently sipping another coffee and waiting for the sun to rise. The early chorus of Kookaburra’s started to sing just as the sun’s first rays lit the far horizon and the camp started to stir. It was time to get breakfast and organise everyone back into their transport for today’s travel.

  Tents are pulled down and packed away in the trailers, fires put out and bedding wedged tightly into every available corner. Toilet trenches are filled in and the hospital patients are loaded on their buses and into the ambulances. Children are placed in car seats and dogs are tethered to trailers and the fire truck.

  The convoy is once again ready to roll.

  Chapter 27

  The sun is gathering strength as we start the convoy rolling towards Gunnedah. We have so many miles to go before we get there and no one knows what we will find at the other end. Gavin’s voice comes through the emergency radio.

  “Jenn, I have been thinking a bit about what we should do as we get closer to Gunnedah.” He says quietly.

  “Me too mate, I am not sure that taking everyone straight into town would be the best idea.” I say, checking in the rear vision mirror and seeing Andrew nod in agreement.

  I’ve had those thoughts too Gavin.” Andrew’s Scottish accent rumbles through the radio.

  “I’m g
lad that we are all on the same wavelength and thinking ahead. Apart from the risk of disease, there is a chance that the folks in Gunnedah won’t be happy to see a mob of more than 200 of us heading into their town. Supplies will be low and people don’t react well when they are under that type of stress.” Gavin speaks quickly and clearly. “I have been thinking that it would be better if only a couple of us scout out the town before we take the rest of the convoy down there.” Gavin finishes his transmission.

  “I have to agree that it would be better for just a couple of people to go in, it might just create trouble if we arrive as a mob.” I give Gavin my agreement. “Any idea who you want to do this?” I ask flipping the transmit button quickly.

  “Have not thought that far ahead yet Jenn, but would like to have a full committee meeting tonight to discuss it I think.” Gavin replies.

  “Great idea Gavin. I will put up my hand if you like. An old bloke like me should be non-threatening enough.” Andrew offers quickly.

  “We will discuss that tonight Andrew, but I will make a note of your offer and thank you.” Gavin says. “We need input from the rest of the committee on this one. How does nine pm suit you two” Gavin ends his transmission with a question.

  “Nine pm is fine mate.” I tell Gavin and hear Andrew confirm that it is okay with him.

  We close the conversation and I place the microphone back on its bracket quickly and concentrate on my driving. David is in the seat beside me and is half turned in his seat belt talking to the younger children and telling stories to keep them amused. His stories are sweet gentle stories of the animals he has seen in the bush. He tells of where they live, their friends and what they do. He has Robin chuckling away and because Robin is laughing so are Tammy and Caren. It is such a lovely sound to hear as the miles tick slowly by.