The people of Uarbry suffered greatly after the devastating flames swept through the rural hamlet and the fire fight continues with brave men and women doggedly pressing on.

Amid this natural disaster however, we also saw the emergence of selflessness, determination and hope – qualities not reserved solely for the firefighters themselves, but also in those whose work is still vitally important.

The RSL Girls are a great bunch.

They serve delicious meals to both locals and visitors that are all heartily appreciated and extremely popular.

And, as the Sir Ivan bushfire raged out of control to Merriwa’s west on Sunday, it was the RSL Girls who came to the rescue.

The kitchen helpers on duty were Vicki Byfield, Sonya Drury, Cara Hunt and Robyn Jacobs.

Robyn explained that the RSL got the call at about 2pm that the exhausted firefighters needed a feed and the RSL kitchen didn’t disappoint.

They enlisted the support of Keith and Wendy Richards of the Merriwa IGA as well as Yvonne and Max McNaught of Max’s Country Cuts who provided ingredients and meat.

The girls ended up providing 170 dinners to the RFS volunteers in addition to the 68 dinners to evacuees and guests.

The late-night closing at Merriwa Olympic Pool on Friday and Saturday nights were huge and just what the town needed.

With temperatures well over 40 degrees, everyone had a chance to cool off – this was especially important as it allowed concerned residents to discuss evacuation plans and the eastward progress of the fire.

It was a lot of hard work from Merriwa Olympic Pool manager Jason Constable and his colleague Brian Nicholls, who sacrificed their own time so that so many others could enjoy theirs’ during such a stressful time.

The pair also worked tirelessly cleaning up after the massive dump of ash from the bush fires on Sunday night as well.

Rural Fire Service (RFS) Superintendent Andrew Luke is a plain speaker.

His years of experience and dedication to the emergency services qualify him to speak about the “Sir Ivan” bushfire.

Superintendent Luke was part of a team working out of the Merriwa River RFS Headquarters (in Merriwa) helping to coordinate the massive effort in fighting the fire.

“We’ve got RFS units from the Upper Hunter, Liverpool Plains, Gunnedah Shire as well as units from Cudgegong and the Warrumbungles helping out,” he said.

“We’ve also got RFS strike teams drawn from all over NSW assisting us.

“Right now, we have cooler weather and we’re all working hard to consolidate our position.

“But the weather forecast shows that that the extremely high temperatures of 40 degrees plus will return by the weekend.

“Adding to the uncertainty is the potential for a dry lightning strike that could start another fire.”

Another volunteer is Merriwa Country Women’s Association (CWA) president Barbara Campbell, a tireless community worker who, alongside her colleagues, is striving to prepare individual meals for all involved in fighting the Sir Ivan fire.

Barbara explained that the 20 or so Merriwa CWA members prepared 340 meals earlier in the week and are currently preparing a further 340 meals.

When asked how people can help further, she said that she was “waiting on the outcome of a special meeting being held at the Dunedoo CWA branch that will decide what aid is needed and how it’s to be distributed as it’s essential that all aid be coordinated”.

Barbara also said that she was “extremely grateful for all the effort made by the local Merriwa businesses and suppliers that have helped sustain the fight against the Sir Ivan fire and to ask Merriwa locals to be patient for any temporary shortages in supplies that may result from resources being channelled towards the fire-fighting effort.”

Acknowledging the contributions of others, Barbara also mentioned Merriwa’s Ambulance crew who patrolled the local streets keeping a watchful eye for anyone who could have been experiencing dehydration.

In addition, Merriwa resident Robert Smith was not only hosting two bush fire evacuees at his own home, but he also opened his pharmacy on Sunday to ensure that any bush fire evacuees had adequate medical supplies - especially those suffering from asthma.

The outcome of the Sir Ivan fire remains uncertain at this stage.

Peoples’ homes and farms are still under threat.

But, the community of Merriwa remains firm in its staunch support of those fighting this terrible bushfire.

For those wishing to make donations to the Country Women’s Association, funds may be directly deposited into:

Account Name: Country Women’s Association

Bank: Regional Australia Bank

BSB: 932 000

Account No: 426 018

Barbara advised that funds deposited into the above account will be then be diverted through to the CWA Disaster Fund for the Cassilis fire.

Superintendent Luke also provided the following hyperlink to those wishing to contribute to the Rural Fire Service, visit: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade

To donate to the Merriwa and Cassilis local recovery effort, go to: http://www.huntervalleynews.net.au/story/4464823/merriwa-sir-ivan-bushfire-appeal-now-open/?cs=1205