Nervous time at shelter
But storm evacuees do their best to keep themselves entertained
EVACUEES at Darwin’s evacuation centres remain in a difficult position of limbo, away from their homes, unaware of what damage Tropical Cyclone Trevor has had on their homes and communities.
Robinson River resident Frederica Albert was still tired from a rough few days at the shelter after her tent blew down on the first night.
But her mind was a million miles away.
“We’re doing OK, we’re just worrying about our animals back at Robinson River,” she said.
“Two dogs, we locked them in the house and left a bit of food and water for them but hopefully they’ll be OK.”
She said she was questioning how she could have prepared better for the evacuation, what more she could have done to ensure there was something for them to go back to.
“We’re hoping that a tree doesn’t fall on our car, our car was parked near the tree (when we left),” she said.
“We’re probably looking at a new house too … we’ll still go back there.”
But while some 200 residents from Robinson River are in Darwin, along with evacuees from Borroloola and parts of Groote Eylandt, they’re making the most of the opportunity.
“Yesterday we went to Casuarina to do some shopping. hopefully the next shopping we’ll do will be next week,” Ms Albert said.
“We got personal stuff like clothes, toiletries, sometimes takeaway, when you get a little hungry. Because we live out bush we don’t see KFC and McDonalds, so this is the only chance here before we go back.
“We’re also doing shopping here because it’s cheaper.”
Others found it easier to keep their mind off home, resigned to let nature take is course. “We’ve been playing around, sitting around,” Kimberly Peter said.
“”We’ve just been sitting down with the kids and keeping an eye on them.
“I’m not really worried, there’s nothing we can do.”
It’s finding entertainment that many have found difficult, with many sitting and waiting for news and information to filter through about their home towns and communities.
But luckily Save the Children have set up, keeping little ones at bay and with smiles on their faces.
Train sets, colouring and sticker books and play-doh were among the toys for younger kids at the “child friendly spaces” set up at Marrara Indoor Stadium and Katherine Showgrounds, while teenagers and bigger kids set up goals and kicked a ball around when the weather allowed for it.
“I’m very thankful, some of the kids tend to run out the gate and there’s a lot of traffic here, it’s different from the bush, less traffic out there,” Ms Albert said.
“They do this to keep the kids from running around while the adults are watching football.
“When we got here they were excited and just running amok everywhere here. some of the kids didn’t sleep until 3am.”
Her cousin McKeena O’Keefe said the children’s spaces were good to give the children like her son Leeron some comfort while they were away from home.
“They keep (the kids) in the same place, keep them happy, he’s been a happy boy,” she said.
“He’d be wandering everywhere (if this wasn’t here).”
For most evacuees, it’s been three days and three nights in Darwin and the waiting continues. They don’t know how long they’ll be there for, or what will be left when they return home.
“We’re probably looking at a new house too” ROBINSON RIVER’ S FREDERICA ALBERT