The Carlton Football Club made a special visit to some of the areas affected by the horrific bushfires. An intra-club practice match at Visy Park on Friday morning was soon forgotten for the six players who visited Whittlesea and then the devastated Kinglake area on Friday afternoon. Marc Murphy, Nick Stevens, Matthew Kreuzer, Cameron Cloke, Jake Edwards and Chris Johnson took time out to visit with locals and volunteers in the area.

This was no publicity event for the Carlton players as there was no media following the visit, this was not about being seen to do the right thing, this was the Carlton players wanting to do what they wanted, what they felt was right. The players wanted to meet with the people who have been so closely affected by the fires in the region, in particular the children.

The visit started at Whittlesea where the players signed autographs, gave away Carlton merchandise and Ross Faulkner sporting goods and meet with the people in the area where the benefit concert had been held the previous night. There were a number of other ‘celebrities’ at this centre, including Melbourne Storm players and a number of entertainers, including Mick Molloy, Lemo and Strauchnie.

For Nick Stevens and Marc Murphy it was a much different environment to be catching up with Mick Molloy than it was when they were last together, in Malaysia, three weeks ago. However it highlighted the support that people from all walks of life want to give to assist. 

The next stop for the Carlton players was the Whittlesea community centre with much time spent with the children in the day care area as well as chatting with many of the volunteers

“It is great to be able to spend time with the children as they just give so much in return, one said they just wanted to see a real live footballer. And it is easy to forget the volunteers and the wonderful work they are doing, it was fantastic to be able to speak with them, thank them and hopefully provide a positive distraction for the day,” said Nick Stevens.

And it as at the Whittlesea Showgrounds that the players got an even greater understanding of the work of the volunteers, this time it was the fire fighters. The players spend over 30-minutes meeting the fire fighters who were on a break and getting ready for their next shift. Plus they met the volunteer catering staff, the masseurs, Police, SES workers and all the volunteers at the centre.

However it was the next stage of the visit, one that was not originally planned, that left the players with lasting memories of the horror that has faced the community - a visit to Kinglake. A police escort was provided up the mountain where the players were overwhelmed by what they saw. The landscape is what we have all seen on television and in the papers but it more than the landscape, it was the people who left lasting impressions on the players.

The locals who were just so thrilled to see AFL players taking the time to visit and provide that distraction that is so welcome. It didn’t matter if the people were Carlton supporters they were happy, of course for those who follow Carlton it was that little more special. Once again the volunteers were also delighted to see the ‘Old Dark Navy Blues’ in Kinglake and the players hid their emotions as they talked, signed autographs and mixed with everyone in Kinglake.

“It was an incredible experience, one that I really can’t put into words but certainly one I will not forget. The genuine thanks from people just because we were there, it was humbling and just added to the feeling of how strong these people are and how tireless the volunteers have been. You certainly get that feeling of just being so helpless,” said Marc Murphy.

For the Carlton official who was with the players it was a moving experience and one that once again showed just what a difference AFL players can make in the community.

“The players were magnificent in the way they took the time to talk with everyone and listened and really showed they wanted to make a difference through the visit. Once again it displayed just how powerful AFL is, the players have the ability to bring a smile to the faces of people, just by being there and that is something the average person cannot do.

“I was proud to see the way the Carlton players conducted themselves and made sure the gift they have, being an AFL player, was used in such a positive way in the community. We can all be proud of what our boys did today, and what other AFL players and sporting and entertainment people have done over the last week.

“If it is only a distraction for these people living through this disaster, then it is certainly an outstanding result,” the official said.

The reaction from various people during the visit was amazing and provided the players with some very positive memories of the manner in which the Australian community has stood up against Australia’s biggest ever natural disaster.

“Another thing we tend to overlook is the workers who are up the mountain trying to repair and restore things such as the power. They have been working so hard and they just keep on working and they are never alone, there are always volunteers and others working and helping out, it is sensational,” said Cameron Cloke.

Perhaps it was a very little thing that happened as the players were about to leave Kinglake that gave a real indication of the impact the visit had on the players and how delighted the people were to see them. It was a very little thing but was a significant symbol of the day.

It was around 6:00pm and the players were very hungry and the volunteers cooking a BBQ and serving other food and drinks for locals and volunteers were offering the players something to eat and drink. The players, while hungry and thirsty said no thanks, they all looked at each other and quietly said it would be embarrassing to accept the kind offer, ‘that is for people who are working here and helping the locals” was the quiet response among the players.

However the members of the Rotary Club who were busy serving the food and drinks seemed to understand and quietly asked the players to come around the back of the serving area where they were served cold water and muffins. One volunteer was a big Carlton fan and he just wouldn’t let the boys go hungry or thirsty.

Sure it was a little thing but what this showed was Carlton players not fully appreciating how important their visit was for everyone in Kinglake while showing just how delighted the people were to see them. The visit had made a difference.

It may have been difficult at times, but it was a very positive afternoon and one that the Carlton players are keen to revisit with all agreeing that future visits to the area and other bushfire affected communities will be conducted in the coming months. All at the most appropriate time, as decided by the authorities in charge of the mammoth task of resurrecting the communities.

Donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund can be made by ringing 1800 811 700 or by visiting www.redcross.org.au