THEMORNINGOFSUNDAY 18 MARCH,2018,startedout
likeanyotherforthelocalsofTathra,onNewSouthWales’sidyllic
SapphireCoast.KarenUrquharthadtakenBailey,thefamilydog,for
awalkandfollowingbreakfastbackathome,hadmownthelawn,
admiringtheadjacentbushlandthathadattractedherandherhusband
KentothisblockonDilkeraRoadinthefirstplace.Thetemperature
wasrising,andKarenwasgladtohavefinishedthejobby11am.
AttheTathraBeachHouseApartments,rightoppositethebeach,
ownerRobWhitehadcheckedouttheguestswhoweredeparting
andwaspreparingfornewarrivalsduelaterintheday.
Downtheroad,MitchandAlexisCrearyweredoingwhattheydid
mostSundaymorningsinsummer–theywereatthebeachwatching
theirkidsdonippers(learningskillsthatwouldsetthemingoodstead
tobecomesurflifesaversofthefuture)infrontoftheTathraSurf
Club.Thekidswerehavingaball,andtheparentswerehappytobeout
bytheseaasthedayheatedup.
Meanwhile,inQueanbeyan,RuralFireService(RFS)member
NathanBarnden,originallyfromBega,beganmonitoringafirethat
hadstartedatReedySwampoutsideofTathra.Asaformervolunteer
inBega,wherehisfatherClemandbrotherMichaelwerestillwiththe
RFS,hewasconcerned.Anhourorsolaterheranghisbrother
MichaelwhohadbeencalledondutyandwasonhiswaytoTathra.
TheconversationaboutthefirewasenoughtomakeNathanjumpin
hiscarforthethree-hourdrivebackhome.
IwasalsopayingcloseattentiontoeventsonthisSundaymorning
sincetwoofmybrothersandmanyfriendsalsoliveinTathra.THEFIRESTORM
KarenandherhusbandKenbegantorealisethatthethreatwasserious
bymid-afternoon.“Wehadabushfireplantoleave–knowingthatour 1LEFT: Coffee is
served at Tathra
Beachside Park.
OPPOSITE: Tathra’s
perfect main beach.AUSTRALIANTRAVELLER.COM 85
PHOTOGRAPHY: DESTINATION NSW (CARAVAN)