Original subtitles

To the south, there were bushfires.

To the west, there were bushfires.

In every direction, roads were cut off...

and labelled the worst fire season ever recorded.

The country is burning.

More than $55 million

has been raised

for the rural fire service.

More than one billion animals that have been killed as a result.

Military helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft

are being prepared for bushfire evacuations in the state.

It's like a war zone. Everything's just gone.

This is an emergency warning for Kooryang Point

and surrounding areas.

There is a bushfire to the west that is out of control,

and with the current wind direction is moving towards town.

The main road remains closed and there is now no way in or out.

Assembly areas are established at the wharf and beach.

Move to the beach or the wharf.

Foot traffic only and vehicles park over here.

No need to panic, but keep moving.

You are in danger and need to act immediately

in order to survive.

It is too late to leave.

Tourists, if you don't know where to go,

follow the path to the wharf.

Arrgh! MAN ON Keep going.

Keep moving.

Proceed to either the beach or the wharf.

Baba! Mama! Keep going. Keep moving.

Proceed to either the beach or the wharf.

Keep going. Keep moving.

Proceed to either the beach or the wharf.

Baba!

Baba?

It's looking pretty bad up here.

I can see the actual front approaching.

It's maybe 20, 30km away.

Moving pretty damn fast.

Well, thank you for the call and you stay safe.

That information is for anyone still in the vicinity of Dulverton Ridge.

Fire is approaching. Shelter in place.

It's 8:21am, December 31.

Not quite the New Year's Eve anyone was planning.

Certainly not what I had in mind.

But you play the hand you're dealt, don't you?

I'm Caris Mazzeo.

This is your community station.

Stay tuned for the latest information

in this unfolding emergency.

This is a song that my husband, Bruno, used to play

when he wanted to relax.

And we could all do with that right now, couldn't we?

This is for you, my love.

Adut! MAN: Adut!

I'm tired. Where are we going?

Adut! I'm tired.

Where are we going? Stop it!

We're looking for your sister. Adut! Adut! Adut!

I think I remember that fence.

Excuse me.

I told you three days ago, Madit. We should've gone home.

I will find Adut and I will meet you there.

No. We stay together.

We'll look for her together.

Paddy, I know it's hell for everybody,

but I have barely had a breath of fresh air for a day and a half.

I didn't bring a toothbrush

and the inside of my mouth feels like a shag pile right now.

So if you can't come, can you please get someone else to relieve me?

Please.

Boss. Hey?

That's all your food.

Hey!

Dickhead! Drop it!

That's my stuff!

Uhh! Hey!

Shit!

Kid! Hey.

What the hell are you doing?

Look. Come here.

Up you get. You're right.

There you go, no dramas.

Tough kid.

These your towels?

Got 'em? Off you go.

But... What?

..I don't know where to go.

I lost my parents and now I can't find them.

I need a phone. What?

Have you got a phone?

OK. Dammit.

Here. Give me those. Here you go.

Call them. You know how to use that?

It's not working. Yes, it is.

Press the numbers.

Shit.

Fuck.

The tower's out.

Um, OK.

Alright, so what do they look like?

They're tall and black.

Like me.

Come on, kid.

Fuck. I can give you five minutes, OK?

10 minutes tops.

I've gotta get back to my place. It's in the firing line of that.

You understand? Mm-hm.

Do you wanna come with me? OK.

Alright, well, we gotta move. So let's go.

The dog, he's Boss.

Come on. Boss!

I'm Doug. What's your name? Adut.

What? Adut.

Adut? Like Adut Akech, the model.

Right, that's great.

So you wanna be a model, do ya? Nah, I wanna be an engineer.

Adut! Adut!

Listen to instructions.

This way, guys. We're running out of time.

Adut!

Adut!

Adut!

Excuse me, I'm looking for my daughter.

She's 10 years old. She's about this tall.

I haven't seen her, no. Sorry.

Zac, just relax. Sorry.

Excuse me, I'm looking for my daughter.

She's 10 years old. She's about this tall.

Her parents have gotta be here somewhere, OK?

She's not my kid.

I can't stay with her, alright?

I've got my place, my tools, workshop.

I've gotta go and protect that. Some help, please? Please, someone!

One minute. Can someone...

Wait! ..help my wife, please?

Look, you stay here, alright? It's safe here, OK?

Someone will... they'll... they'll come and sort you out soon, OK?

No, no, no, no. You stay.

Just stay there.

Keep moving through.

The fire front is continuing to move towards town

and some houses on the outskirts

have unfortunately already been lost.

I'm looking for my daughter.

She's about 10 years old and this tall.

Have you guys seen her? MAN: Sorry, mate.

Madit.

I cannot find her. I wanna sit down.

We're looking for your sister.

I can't stress enough

the importance of staying tuned for updates.

A wind change has been forecast, which will help,

but we don't know when that will happen.

So the situation remains unpredictable.

Alright. Well, thank you,

Incident Controller Farrelly from the VFA.

I'll let you go. I know how busy you are.

Oh! It looks like my replacement is here.

So I'll be leaving you in their capable hands.

Coming up to news time.

Here's a word from one of our sponsors.

Looking for something to do tonight?

The RSL offers a restaurant and bar,

community bus and nightly...

About time.

You.

What do you want?

We need to get a message out.

My mum's in Wangaratta. She's freaking out.

You were talking to the VFA. So you've got a phone that works.

You want me to help you?

After what you did?

Only station volunteers and invited guests

are allowed into the studio.

Can't help you.

My mum says she's gonna drive here, through the fires.

She can't. The road is closed.

That won't stop her.

She's a major stress-head.

Because of his disability and everything.

Please.

One call. That's it.

Not you!

I'm his interpreter.

Alright.

Good boy. Hey. OK.

What are you doing back here?

My parents weren't at the tent.

They won't know where to go to find me.

Well, have a look around, kid.

Hey? Can you see 'em here?

They're not with me.

This is an emergency warning for evacuees.

There is a large fire front moving towards Kooryang...

You're a fuckin' pain in the arse, kid.

And you swear too much.

You're not my problem.

What?

Shut up.

Come on.

I can still come.

I'll wait at the roadblock till it opens.

I can't just sit around.

Don't touch anything.

I'm stressed.

We'll be OK, Aunty M.

We'll be fine at the wharf with Mum.

It'll be fine.

Yeah, it's cool. Really.

It is far from cool, Barney.

Your grandad is beside himself.

Jai, don't sign this.

Alright.

He's all I've got, OK?

Just stay safe.

All of you. We will.

'Bye.

Thanks. We're going to go...

You really are a little shit.

Aren't you?

Can you understand what I'm saying? No, I'm deaf.

This cousin of yours. Did you know he was a criminal?

No.

He tagged my front fence. I'd only just had it painted.

I saw you. Don't deny it.

My husband was a sick man when you vandalised our home.

And I had to deal with that in between going to the hospital.

You kids, you go around, you don't care.

You just destroy things.

You don't care about the people left behind to clean it all up.

Don't you walk away from me. I want an apology.

Piss off!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm...

I didn't mean...

Oh.

It's alright, Zoe, it's OK.

What's going on?

Adut?

Adut! Come on. Come on.

It's not safe here.

We're gonna go back to my place, alright?

Now, when we get there,

you're gonna stay in this tinnie with Boss, alright?

Until I finish doing what I gotta do.

But what about my parents? Hey?

And my sister. It's alright.

We'll... we'll find them once this passes. I promise ya.

Mummy! MAN: Don't panic.

It's just smoke blocking the sun.

Keep it up. No need to run. Everything's OK. Just keep moving.

Nice and steady, but keep moving.

It's gonna be much safer in the water.

But I can't swim.

That's OK.

Don't worry. Yep.

I got something for ya, OK?

Here, put your arms up.

There.

Now... this life jacket is gonna be big for ya.

So if this boat tips over, which it's not going to,

you're going to have to hold on tight up here,

so you don't slip out, alright?

No, you'll be fine.

Unless you need medical attention, keep on moving, onto the wharf.

And at the front of the wharf, keep going down.

We've got more people to come on. Excuse me.

We're looking for our daughter. Sorry?

My daughter. She's 10 years old.

Ah, if she's here, she'll be on the wharf.

Please help us. We've already looked there.

Everyone's down there. Come on, guys, keep moving.

Look, there's nowhere else she could be.

Adut! We've evacuated the area.

Adut! MADIT: Adut! Adut!

I've just spoken to the VFA

and they inform me that

there's a large pyrocumulus cloud formed by the fire,

it's starting to bend

and it is actually leaning over us.

That's what's cutting out the light.

There's no reason to panic,

but there will be ash

and embers in the cloud,

so we need to keep following instruction...

No.

No.

Oh, God, that's it. That's it.

Goddammit. I've gotta get back on air.

Have you got a generator?

A what?! A generator.

They should... they should have one.

Well, I... I don't know. I don't remember where it is.

Do you know where the power board is?

Ah... out the back.

Out the back maybe.

Show me.

I think it's just downstairs.

We apologise for the disruption to our transmission.

Normal service will resume shortly.

We apologise for the disruption to our transmission.

Normal service will resume shortly.

What's this, hey?

It's an old-fashioned camp-out.

You OK? I'm good.

Good.

Where are the boys?

They went to the radio station to call your sister.

Shit. It was Jai's idea.

I'm gonna kill that kid.

What's happening?

The fire's hitting houses on the outskirts of town. It's close.

We apologise for the disruption to our transmission.

Normal service will resume shortly. The radio station's brick.

It's probably safer than here.

Yeah.

I gotta get back. I've got a call-out.

Don't go, Dad.

It's OK, Ellsy. Don't let him go.

Please, Mum. Nothing is gonna happen to me.

We're all gonna be OK, alright?

Right.

I love you.

disruption to our transmission.

Normal service will resume shortly.

Hello?

Hello.

I need help!

What? Help me, please! I need help!

Well, what do you want me...

Hello?

Hello?

Right.

OK. OK.

OK.

Now...

Here. Adut.

If it gets too smoky, you just hold that in front of your mouth.

Just like that. Like that. Yeah, yeah.

Hey, you stay, OK?

Look after him. Don't let him follow me.

I'll be back soon as I can. Stay!

Apologies for the disruption to our transmission.

Normal service will resume shortly.

Alright. Let's get this thing going.

Guys, someone... Oh, good Lord.

I need to get back on the air now.

Some... someone called.

You need to reboot it. A man.

I can probably do it. A man called.

Hold, please. An... answer the phone.

Are you sure? This is very sophisticated equipment...

Please. Please, guys, I'm serious. It's a base model mixing console.

I can do it. Alright, go ahead.

Answer the fucking phone!

Hello?

Hello.

I'm in my car. I don't know which way to go.

The fires are everywhere.

Where are you? Flinders Hill.

Flinders Hill? That's miles away. I left the house.

I shouldn't have. But the fire was right at the back.

I came down Gordon's Road. I should have taken a right.

But I couldn't see and now I don't know how far I've gone.

We're... we're gonna get you help, OK? Please!

We're gonna help you.

Alright, tell us where you are and I can get the VFA to come to you.

You said Gordon's Road? Whereabouts?

I passed Lock Street, I'm sure it was.

Are you heading east or west? East.

No, west.

I don't know.

I can't see. It's so dark.

It's going to be OK.

You're gonna be alright. I don't think I can see it.

Look, I can get the fire brigade to come to you

but you need to tell me exactly where you are.

I don't know!

No, listen. Listen to me.

I need you to stop and think.

East or west? I couldn't see him.

It's so loud.

Help me. I don't know what is happening.

Help me. Help...

Barney, we need to find Dad. He can help.

I'll call the VFA. He'll find him.

Answer the goddamn phone.

Come on. Come on.

Fucker.

Ahh!

Come on.

Fuck off!

Dad!

Jai, Jesus!

What do you think you're doing? Flinders Hill.

You have to go there. A man phoned the station.

He's caught in the fire. Where's Barney?

The radio station. The man, Dad.

Gordon's Road, near Lock Road. He's there now. Come on.

Jai, listen. He's... he's in his car.

I told him I'd get help. We can't just stay here and do nothing...

Jai! I can't go to Flinders Hill.

OK? Our job is here now.

Protecting the town.

Flinders Hill is gone.

I'm sorry, son.

We gotta go now, Raf.

Barney will be OK at the station,

but you need to go to the wharf.

Dad.

Oh, gosh.

Oh.

Ah, we're back.

Um, apologies for the hiccup.

As you're probably aware, we've lost power

and I have an urgent update from the VFA.

The fire has reached the edge of town.

VFA trucks are falling back

and will surround the designated safer places

as a last line of defence.

If you hear the sirens,

you must take immediate steps to protect yourself.

What does that mean? Do we have to go in the water?

I can't do that. Here.

Take off your shoes, hon. We might have to go for a swim.

I don't wanna swim. It's OK. Come on.

Come on, buddy, get up.

Hold on, everyone.

Boss, stay here.

And good luck.

Jai. Jai.

Oh, thank God you're here.

Where's Barney?

He's at the radio station.

Well, is he OK?

Yeah, he's fine. He's fine.

It's OK. Come here.

Madit.

Madit.

You're safe.

Your family is here.

Doug?

No!

Fuck!

Fuck!

Come on, fucker!

Doug!

No, Boss.

No! Boss, no! Boss, come back!

Boss!

Boss! Doug, I'm sorry!

Hey! What are you doing here?

I told you to stay on the boat with Boss.

He got out.

You were supposed to keep hold of him.

I couldn't!

I can't look after you, kid.

You understand that? I can't look after ya!

Oh! Look out!

Boss.

Come on. Come on.

Let's get back to the boat. Come on.

Start running. Come on. Let's go. Let's go.

What is it? I don't know.

Nope. No.

The wind change has pushed the fire away from town

and back onto sections which have already burned.

There's no fuel load left so the fire's starting to burn itself out.

Sorry, just... That's fine.

To be absolutely clear, are we safe?

The emergency warning is no longer in place.

The immediate danger has passed.

Thank you, Incident Controller Farrelly.

Right.

We're OK. Thank God.

You heard the man. The immediate danger has passed. We're safe.

Thanks, mate.

Yeah.

How about we get you back to your parents, huh?

Yeah.

I know it's early...

..but Happy New Year, everyone.

You know, God didn't have anything to do with it, don't you?

Baba? Mama?

Adut! MADIT: Adut!

Adut. We were so worried!

Are you OK? You alright?

What happened?

A man helped me. He's got a dog.

What man? Where is he?

He's over...

Alright, go.

Brekky. Here, here. Here you go.

Here you go. Up, up, up.

Thousands of homes in New South Wales and Victoria

are still without power

after storms brought heavy rain and flash flooding

to a number of towns and regions in yet another...

Come on, mate. School. ..extreme weather event.

Only a short time ago, these same areas...

Jai. School.

..were threatened by the bushfires that raged through the nation.

Come on.

People who had only just begun cleaning up after the fires

are now facing a clean-up after the floods.

A low-pressure cell...

..continues to move across...

..the whole region and the bad news is there's still more rain...

I'm Caris Mazzeo.

And if you've just joined us,

this is my new show, The Listening Hour,

and we've got one of our regulars, Graham, on the line.

How are you, my dear?

Oh, you know. Keeping on.

Still having the dreams, though. Ah, the dreams.

Jai! Well, tell us about it.

Hey, Jai, come see this!

The fire's there and I'm ready to fight, but I'm... I'm stuck.

Jai! My... my feet don't work.

Bro, what's up?

What are you doing, bro? I can't move.

What's wrong with me?

Take your time, Graham.

I just want to not smell that smell anymore.

The smoke...

..got into everything.

Not again.

I don't need any help.

I haven't even got a dry chair to offer you.

That's fine.

A cup of tea? No, that's OK.

It's all I got.

I applied for... temporary housing.

They offered me some sort of pod, like I'm a friggin' dolphin.

We came to give you a gift as a thank you

for taking care of Adut.

And for Boss too.

Please, take this.

Fuck! Shit.

Go on, honey.

Hey. That's... There you go.

That's from Adut.

You... you didn't have to.

So you can build a new home.

Uh... uh...

Thanks.

I'm talking with Andrew, who's telling us

how he and his family are bringing life back to their land

after the fires.

That's right.

Uh, as I was saying, the first thing we did was go out to country,

put out water stations and molasses

to draw in the ants and the bees.

The pollinators.

From the insects, the cycle just builds with bigger things.

Birds, animals come in.

And seeing them all come back, we all have smiles on our faces.

We're that stoked. Mm-hm.

We're the custodians of the land, you know.

We should we looking after it,

but that link got broken.

Do you think that it's too late to fix it?

I think, 'cause of the fires,

uh, everyone feels a part of this now.

So I say to people...

..go outside, into the bush, paddock, whatever...

..and just listen.

Something will catch your ear or your eye...

Yeah.

..that just connects with you

and makes you feel like you have to look after it.

That's how we'll fix things.

Look, Doug.

I made you a brand-new roof.

Smart idea. Mmm.

She talks about you all the time, you know?

Does she? Mmm.

What does she say?

She says you swear a lot.

Suppose I do, yeah.

Do you have children? Yeah.

No.

No. I did have.

I had a son.

He found this world a really tough place.

And I wasn't there to...

16... 16 years old.

I've been talking to Barney, said you'd been a bit quiet of late.

We're Facebook friends now.

Just the usual stuff.

Not about...

Yeah.

Do you ever think about him?

The man who called?

Every day.

Jai, bad things happen.

It's so fucked up. Yeah. I know.

I've had shit happen.

And you know what?

I felt sorry for myself and angry with people too.

But it's just made me angrier

and sadder.

And I've decided I don't want that anymore.

Hey? Reach out, Jai.

Talk to Barney.

You are not alone in this.

Truly.

I better go.

See ya. Yeah.

What type of house do you wanna have?

One with a roof.

That would work.

Think there'll be another one?

I don't think there'll be another one.

G'day, Liz. WOMAN: Hello!