Harry the helper

IT’S LISTENING to people’s stories in the hope of understanding what they’ve been through that inspires Torquay retiree Harry Schonewille to continue his 20-year relationship with Red Cross.

Mr Schonewille was one of three people from the Surf Coast’s Emergency Services branch who travelled to Mallacoota this past summer during the bushfire crisis.

He was helicoptered around the devastated Victorian town and remembers a thick smoke blanketing most sights from the air.

“That was scary. To see all the damage there, the smoke, people’s houses burnt down and the people whose lives have been really upset… it’s pretty horrific,” he said.

“We just did whatever we could. We talked to them and gave them support and whatever they needed.

“A lot of them were very positive, and you’ve got to be positive because the reality hits later. Everyone said there’s people worse off than them.”

Mr Schonewille also visited Mackay and Airlie Beach in 2017 when Cyclone Debbie hit.

Last year he journeyed to Townsville after floods ravaged much of Queensland’s east coast.

And although the date and time stamps on his departure tickets suggest he isn’t afraid of entering dangerous situations, he said the risks were something he didn’t worry too much about.

“Volunteering is something a lot more people should be involved in. People need someone to talk to so their story’s not forgotten.

“Some of these places will take years to come back, but seeing how quickly volunteer agencies jump in to do their bit is amazing.

“That’s part of the volunteering I like, to be able to see how people can come together again. It makes you feel good in yourself, to do your little bit.”

Convenor of Red Cross Emergency Services for the Surf Coast Pam Aylward said if she had to summarise Harry in one word, she’d use “dependable”.

“He’s my go-to person. He was in the first aid team for a long time, and he’s been with us since that wound up about three years ago.

“He also helped open a relief centre down at Colac a couple of years ago during the south-west fires.

“Harry’s the one with his hand up first of all; he’s really good at that.”