Ex-Kiap and leader of the Kiap Recognition Project, Chris Viner-Smith, is a volunteer with the Australian Capital Territory Bushfire Task Force and has just got back home after spending five days fighting the Victorian fires at Murmungee near Beechworth.

After getting a mere 15 hours sleep between Sunday morning and Thursday night, Chris has hunkered down for some well merited rest.

The photos here were taken by Chris; the lower one shows him standing in front of the Task Force’s fire communications unit.

Meanwhile Rod Hard reports that Channel 7 News in Sydney featured a couple of segments showing the work being done in the bushfire areas by Dr Howard ‘Howie’ Ralph [ASOPA 1962-63].

Howie, who is both a medical specialist and a veterinarian, has a passion for Australia’s native animals. He’s been in Victoria tending to animals (native and domestic) injured by the fires.

“He certainly has a presence with the white hair and beard,” says Rod, “and came across as good as, if not better than Dr Harry Butler. It is easy to see where his passion lies. Best wishes to him...he is doing are great job.”

PNG ATTITUDE pays tribute to Chris and Howie for their sterling service to the community in the Victorian bushfire tragedy.