Mayor safe but saddened after quake strikes

– Bridget Brady
IN NEW Zealand for her father’s funeral, Casey mayor Shar Balmes says she is saddened by a string of natural tragedies that have devastated Australians and Kiwis.
Councillor Balmes was safe and well in Stokes Valley near Wellington, some 400km away from diaster-stricken Christchurch, when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the country on Tuesday.
Cr Balmes, who grew up in New Zealand, said she had felt some tremors in the aftermath of the quake, which has killed scores of people and injured many more. Speaking to the News after the quake hit on Tuesday, Cr Balmes said it was sad to see the destruction in Christchurch, and was worried for friends she had not yet made contact with.
“Christchurch is just a mess and we’re obviously concerned about friends and loved ones down there, but we don’t want to block up the lines right now.”
Growing up on a fault line, Cr Balmes said tremors were a common occurrence in New Zealand.
She recalled diving under her desk at school and having routine “quake drills” in the same fashion people in Australia carried out fire drills.
“Tremors were very normal, it didn’t even phase us,” she said.
“My biggest fear growing up was that we would get caught in a supermarket when a quake hit.”
The anxious wait to hear about the safety of loved ones is all too familiar for Cr Balmes of late, who went through that distress recently when her close friends in Queensland faced floods and cyclones. “It’s just horrible but it’s very similar to us sitting in Melbourne with our friends in Queensland.”
With the destruction of floods also felt at home in Casey this month, Cr Balmes said it had been a trying time for Australian and New Zealand residents.
“I think our countries have gone through a fair bit. I can’t believe what a battering Australia has taken. It kinda hurts to think about it, really. It makes me sad.”
Cr Balmes is hoping to fly home to Australia today, which is her birthday.
She said she wanted to thank everyone for their well wishes after hearing of her father’s death and his funeral last Thursday.
“I’ve had some of the most beautiful emails and wonderful support from my fellow councillors, council officers and community members. I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate it.”
Cr Balmes said she was looking forward to returning to Casey and seeing her family.