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This All-Female, All-Indigenous Australian Firefighting Crew Works 24/7 To Protect Their Sacred Land From Flames
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This All-Female, All-Indigenous Australian Firefighting Crew Works 24/7 To Protect Their Sacred Land From Flames

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Wildfires are destroying Australia on an unthinkable scale. And while the whole country is combating the flames, we want you to take a look at the efforts of one particular crew. The Lakes Tyers Aboriginal Trust Country Fire Authority, an all-women, all-indigenous brigade who are the perfect example of their people’s resilience.

Image credits: Country Fire Authority

Image credits: CFAChiefOfficer

The Lakes Tyers Aboriginal Trust Country Fire Authority was set up 20 years ago. Now, Charmaine Sellings, 52, is in charge of the group, and the fully-trained team have already had some pretty big fights under their belts. Like the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.

Image credits: Charmaine Sellings

Image credits: callapilla

Like so many parts of Australia, Lake Tyers in eastern Victoria has been suffering a crippling drought, so Charmaine and the Country Fire Authority Brigade have already forgotten about a summer break. Instead, they’re taking care of their tinder-box patch of sacred land.

“Things are pretty desperate,” Charmaine told Now To Love, “we are in extreme conditions, our dams are empty and it’s not a good situation.”

Image credits: DivCouncilAus

“The crew will work around the clock. We hope for a quiet summer but we fear the worst.” Charmaine’s crew is the country’s first all-indigenous, all-female fire brigade.

Image credits: NACCHOAustralia

“We are the lifeline if anything goes wrong, so we have an important role to play, and I think people are generally very grateful for what we do,” Charmaine says.

“It’s not that men aren’t welcome – in fact, we’d love the fellas to join us and help out!” Charmaine explained.

“Every now and then a fella comes along but they don’t seem to last too long. I don’t think they like taking orders from me,” she laughed.

Image credits: NACCHOAustralia

The brigade was born two decades ago when deliberately lit fires burned down a house. Since the nearest fire crew was a 45-minute-drive away, Charmaine and her friends Rhonda Thorpe and Marjorie Proctor asked the CFA to train them up to protect the culturally significant land.

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Soon, they started knocking on their neighbors’ doors, looking for volunteers. Eight women signed up for the inaugural brigade.

“When we first set up the brigade, the men called us the Banana Women because of our bright yellow outfits. We had a giggle about it because they were a bit jealous of us, but the name stuck and that’s what we call ourselves today.”

To them and others who joined later, their work is not only about protecting the community, but preserving their story as well. “There’s ‘scatters’ (clusters of artifacts) all through this bush,” Charmaine said, as she showed an area just a short walk from her home where 179 artifacts were found.

The proud Kurnai woman then pointed to the eucalyptus with visible wounds from where the bark was stripped hundreds of years ago to make canoes, shields, and infant carriers.

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Image credits: ABC

The area is also home to many significant sites that tell stories about the history of the local Aboriginal community. In 1863, after years and years of conflict between white settlers and the Kurnai people, the Church of England commandeered the peninsula and established a colony, called the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Mission.

Aboriginal people from all over Victoria were removed from their homelands with force and brought to the mission. One of these “stolen” children was Charmaine’s great-grandfather, who had to leave his family home near Healesville.

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“He never understood why he was taken – no one ever told him. He was only a little boy, ripped away from his family,” she said. “There’s a lot of history here. We still have some troubles – grog and unemployment particularly – and discrimination.”

So far, Charmaine can’t hang up her bright yellow overalls yet. “I keep saying I’m going to retire, but I never get around to it,” she laughs, “I can’t imagine not doing it. This is our lives – it is part of who we are – it’s part of me now. They’ll bury me in my yellows!”

People applauded the crew and their efforts in fighting Australia’s wildfires

Image credits: AJCklimatet

Image credits: irishmanliam

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Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 235 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 235 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thankyou ladies, for everything you're doing & have done since you started your brigade 20 years ago. Stay safe, and I hope you're given more resources to continue the amazing work you're doing, to protect such sacred lands, as well as those who live in your region. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.

pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@TammyOnly - I don't give a damn what you do on your own time, but SHAME ON YOU for doing it here, on this post, and showing absolute disrespect for what THESE women are doing to protect their community. Seriously.... you should be ashamed. BoredPanda, please get rid of these trolls.

Load More Replies...
ctrteresa avatar
Teresa Taylor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These women are doing a wonderful job. It's nice that their story is being told. However, I have an issue with the word "stolen" being in quotes when referring to the stolen children. By putting the word in quotes, it lessens the impact of what happened to those children. It makes it a "he said/she said" situation instead of an actual fact. The actual fact is those children WERE stolen from their aboriginal families and taken to white schools and families. They were forced to assimilate into the white culture because white was "better." It happened to Native Americans. It happened to Africans and Asians. It is perpetuated to this very day. It has to stop! Whites have to stop stealing and minimizing the identities of BIPOC. Race is a construct of society. Race does not exist unless we allow it to exist. We must dismantle this fallacy.

sarah-lennie avatar
TheKnightOwl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You contradict yourself. You say race does not exist, but the premise of your post suggests otherwise. I know some of the Gunai/Kurnai people, some of which are from the generation of which you reference. Many have accepted the apologies offered to them, and understand that we are not responsible for the sins of our fathers. It seems to be more the white people who can't move forward, and insist on being offended on behalf of the indigenous people...which is extremely patronising. What is also patronising, is your generalisation of "whites" stealing the land and culture of others. I admit, the past is shameful and bloody, and I by no means minimise that... However, we are not going to solve anything by throwing accusations, pointing the finger, and blaming people who had no say in their lineage. You cannot heal pain of the past by making those of the future responsible. You're right, it has to stop...all of it. Enough with the blame, it leads nowhere good.

Load More Replies...
sarah-lennie avatar
TheKnightOwl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are some incorrect statement in the article. I live near lake tyers, so I know what's truth and what's embellished. The main point I want to clear up; Lake Tyers has not experienced drought this year. Australia is large, and much of NSW has experienced drought, but LT is in Victoria, and we have had a good year for rain (July was LT highest month at 109mm, and 62mm fell just last month) and it's currently raining. Also, all of Australia is not on fire. I won't deny that a large portion is burning, or has burnt this year, but it helps no one to stretch the truth. I live close to the fires, I've had family air evacuated by the Australia Defence Force, and heard stories that go unpublished; real stories that don't have an agenda. Please keep your information accurate.

rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I admire any firefighter in these difficult circumstances. Thank you to all.

tbrittingham99 avatar
it's me again
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A tough country putting out some tough cookies. Way to go ladies! 💪✌️👍

dr_kink avatar
Emowankinemo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone not long ago cracked it at a cartoonist for drawing a cartoon of a female in a CFA truck....because it's 'mostly men' out fighting fires. I really hope they see this!

cenkkaraferya avatar
Cenk Karaferya
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How sad... they have to still protect their land from the invaders who have caused these fires at first place.

sarah-lennie avatar
TheKnightOwl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bushfires have been happening in Australia since before white man arrived. Granted, arson is the main issue, but it's not always "the invaders". Your uneducated comment is unhelpful.

Load More Replies...
genevacheryl avatar
Cheryl Fontaine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so very sorry for what is happening in your country right now.... and believe me, there is no way on earth a woman is not just as capable, strong, determined, and blessed for putting her life on the line to help save her country and its wildlife. Prayers for you.

moustache04 avatar
EC Moustache
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They emphasize it to point out the progress our society has made and to celebrate it.

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would be there a slightest doubt about this firefighting group of women? Aboriginal people are much closer connected to the land and nature than non-native people. Once again, all the extraordinary, dedicated individuals, who fight for common good, are being belittled and criticized by the do-nothing, lazy, disrespectful jerks.

sill avatar
Sill Marien
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It breaks my mind but here's an idea: they would never have to fight like that if the stupid white man did not come to steal their land and started mining coal in the first place. And now they are fighting to make amends for our past greed and mistakes :(

jacklambrecht avatar
Jack Lambrecht
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

? No, the wildfire is natural. And they are fighting to save the country from burning, as is everyone who is helping. This isn't a race or gender issue...

Load More Replies...
jorgemendez_1 avatar
Warawk
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine being payed attention because you have a vagina ...nothing extraordinary about this story but okay

bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So these women do exactly the same thing as a lot of men are doing. And how is that making them special? Aren't women supposed to be equal to men? LOL, misandry in optima forma. Let's downvotes anyone who dares to critisize the adulation of what women do.

blugeagua avatar
blugeagua
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course we're equal. The reason why it's being pointed out is because there are STILL so many people in this world that dont believe that women are capable of doing things that men do. Even though of course we can do anything men can do. It's to actually show others that yes, women are individual human beings too.

Load More Replies...
fuggnuggins avatar
fuggnuggins
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Contrary to what you seem to want to believe, Bored Panda gossip columnists and audience, constantly pointing out the times when women do something manly is specifically contrary to the egalitarian theme you are constantly seeking to try to set. Well done for proving yourselves wrong. Now, if only you could pay attention to something long enough to work through the reasoning. Yes. Women do hard and dangerous work. Sometimes. Not nearly as often as men. Besides, women have their own burdens. And we never hear the end of it.

fuggnuggins avatar
fuggnuggins
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

And yes, even black fellas work. Of the many I've grown up with at LEAST two or three have done so willingly. A majority of the rest think they're on a high horse, acting all white and s**t - snooty and proper. The majority still hate modern culture and other races because they're still getting f##ked over by it. Or by themselves. Because they're often more racist and treat themselves and each other more black than anyone else. You fantasy dwellers have no idea.

Load More Replies...
pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thankyou ladies, for everything you're doing & have done since you started your brigade 20 years ago. Stay safe, and I hope you're given more resources to continue the amazing work you're doing, to protect such sacred lands, as well as those who live in your region. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.

pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@TammyOnly - I don't give a damn what you do on your own time, but SHAME ON YOU for doing it here, on this post, and showing absolute disrespect for what THESE women are doing to protect their community. Seriously.... you should be ashamed. BoredPanda, please get rid of these trolls.

Load More Replies...
ctrteresa avatar
Teresa Taylor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These women are doing a wonderful job. It's nice that their story is being told. However, I have an issue with the word "stolen" being in quotes when referring to the stolen children. By putting the word in quotes, it lessens the impact of what happened to those children. It makes it a "he said/she said" situation instead of an actual fact. The actual fact is those children WERE stolen from their aboriginal families and taken to white schools and families. They were forced to assimilate into the white culture because white was "better." It happened to Native Americans. It happened to Africans and Asians. It is perpetuated to this very day. It has to stop! Whites have to stop stealing and minimizing the identities of BIPOC. Race is a construct of society. Race does not exist unless we allow it to exist. We must dismantle this fallacy.

sarah-lennie avatar
TheKnightOwl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You contradict yourself. You say race does not exist, but the premise of your post suggests otherwise. I know some of the Gunai/Kurnai people, some of which are from the generation of which you reference. Many have accepted the apologies offered to them, and understand that we are not responsible for the sins of our fathers. It seems to be more the white people who can't move forward, and insist on being offended on behalf of the indigenous people...which is extremely patronising. What is also patronising, is your generalisation of "whites" stealing the land and culture of others. I admit, the past is shameful and bloody, and I by no means minimise that... However, we are not going to solve anything by throwing accusations, pointing the finger, and blaming people who had no say in their lineage. You cannot heal pain of the past by making those of the future responsible. You're right, it has to stop...all of it. Enough with the blame, it leads nowhere good.

Load More Replies...
sarah-lennie avatar
TheKnightOwl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are some incorrect statement in the article. I live near lake tyers, so I know what's truth and what's embellished. The main point I want to clear up; Lake Tyers has not experienced drought this year. Australia is large, and much of NSW has experienced drought, but LT is in Victoria, and we have had a good year for rain (July was LT highest month at 109mm, and 62mm fell just last month) and it's currently raining. Also, all of Australia is not on fire. I won't deny that a large portion is burning, or has burnt this year, but it helps no one to stretch the truth. I live close to the fires, I've had family air evacuated by the Australia Defence Force, and heard stories that go unpublished; real stories that don't have an agenda. Please keep your information accurate.

rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I admire any firefighter in these difficult circumstances. Thank you to all.

tbrittingham99 avatar
it's me again
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A tough country putting out some tough cookies. Way to go ladies! 💪✌️👍

dr_kink avatar
Emowankinemo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone not long ago cracked it at a cartoonist for drawing a cartoon of a female in a CFA truck....because it's 'mostly men' out fighting fires. I really hope they see this!

cenkkaraferya avatar
Cenk Karaferya
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How sad... they have to still protect their land from the invaders who have caused these fires at first place.

sarah-lennie avatar
TheKnightOwl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bushfires have been happening in Australia since before white man arrived. Granted, arson is the main issue, but it's not always "the invaders". Your uneducated comment is unhelpful.

Load More Replies...
genevacheryl avatar
Cheryl Fontaine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so very sorry for what is happening in your country right now.... and believe me, there is no way on earth a woman is not just as capable, strong, determined, and blessed for putting her life on the line to help save her country and its wildlife. Prayers for you.

moustache04 avatar
EC Moustache
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They emphasize it to point out the progress our society has made and to celebrate it.

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would be there a slightest doubt about this firefighting group of women? Aboriginal people are much closer connected to the land and nature than non-native people. Once again, all the extraordinary, dedicated individuals, who fight for common good, are being belittled and criticized by the do-nothing, lazy, disrespectful jerks.

sill avatar
Sill Marien
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It breaks my mind but here's an idea: they would never have to fight like that if the stupid white man did not come to steal their land and started mining coal in the first place. And now they are fighting to make amends for our past greed and mistakes :(

jacklambrecht avatar
Jack Lambrecht
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

? No, the wildfire is natural. And they are fighting to save the country from burning, as is everyone who is helping. This isn't a race or gender issue...

Load More Replies...
jorgemendez_1 avatar
Warawk
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine being payed attention because you have a vagina ...nothing extraordinary about this story but okay

bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So these women do exactly the same thing as a lot of men are doing. And how is that making them special? Aren't women supposed to be equal to men? LOL, misandry in optima forma. Let's downvotes anyone who dares to critisize the adulation of what women do.

blugeagua avatar
blugeagua
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course we're equal. The reason why it's being pointed out is because there are STILL so many people in this world that dont believe that women are capable of doing things that men do. Even though of course we can do anything men can do. It's to actually show others that yes, women are individual human beings too.

Load More Replies...
fuggnuggins avatar
fuggnuggins
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Contrary to what you seem to want to believe, Bored Panda gossip columnists and audience, constantly pointing out the times when women do something manly is specifically contrary to the egalitarian theme you are constantly seeking to try to set. Well done for proving yourselves wrong. Now, if only you could pay attention to something long enough to work through the reasoning. Yes. Women do hard and dangerous work. Sometimes. Not nearly as often as men. Besides, women have their own burdens. And we never hear the end of it.

fuggnuggins avatar
fuggnuggins
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

And yes, even black fellas work. Of the many I've grown up with at LEAST two or three have done so willingly. A majority of the rest think they're on a high horse, acting all white and s**t - snooty and proper. The majority still hate modern culture and other races because they're still getting f##ked over by it. Or by themselves. Because they're often more racist and treat themselves and each other more black than anyone else. You fantasy dwellers have no idea.

Load More Replies...
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