Gunning SES volunteer Michael Coley (left) with Gary Poile from Collector SES. Preface (Ann Darbyshire) Gunning SES volunteer Michael Coley, together with fellow SES volunteers Gary Poile, Koley Quirk and the late Jim Quirk, all from Collector, was among the first responders to the Thredbo disaster of 30 July 1997. This is his first hand account of the three tumultuous days during which they assisted with the efforts to deal with disaster during which Stuart Diver was rescued. 18 others were killed. Mike's account is a very personal 'warts and all' recounting of the back breaking work, the tedium, the lack of communication, the harshness of media scrutiny and the inevitable dynamics of different personalities at play - some great - others - well read on...! It provides a compelling background to one small part of the volunteer effort in the face of Thredbo disaster of 20 years ago. Thredbo: A Personal Narrative On Wednesday night, 30 July 19...
Upper Lachlan Shire, Southern Tablelands, New South Wales