(INSECTS SCREECH AND BUZZ)
(FIRE CRACKLES)
NEWSREADER: It's the early morning vista
that Sydneysiders have become accustomed to.
Thick smoke from the bushfires enveloping the city.
REPORTER: 3,000 fire and emergency services personnel
are battling the fires.
NEWSREADER: Across the coast, there's been long lines at petrol stations
as people try to get out, however they can.
REPORTER: Families, their trailers, their caravans...
REPORTER: On top of being cut off from other communities,
the greatest fear is the unknown.
MAN: What people need now is a little bit of sympathy,
understanding and real assistance.
They need help.
(WIND WHISTLES)
SONG: # Come, they told me
# Pa ra-pa pum-pum
# A newborn King to see
# Pa ra-pa pum-pum
# Our finest gifts we bring
# Pa ra-pa pum-pum
# To lay before the King
# Pa ra-pa pum-pum
# Ra-pa pum-pum, ra-pa pum-pum
(ON RADIO) # So, to honour him
# Pa ra-pa pum-pum
# When we...
NEWSREADER: ..burning for weeks.
The fires continue to burn across several states now,
with little respite in sight.
It's Christmas Eve, and while some of us
are looking forward to celebrating tomorrow,
many others are still under the threat from the fires,
or have lost their homes or been forced to evacuate.
Although... (SWITCHES RADIO OFF) Oh, God.
Yep, come through.
This way, this way.
Yep.
Here.
Hey, just keep on going through, yeah?
Just park over there.
Make sure they get your name and they'll find you a place to sleep.
I can sleep in my van. No, we need everyone in one place.
We can't protect you otherwise. There's fires all around.
But I'm leaving first thing... Hey, sorry.
The highway's closed. Both ways.
No-one's getting out till we get the all-clear, alright?
But when's that gonna be?
Fuck.
WOMAN: Grab that out of the boot.
Do you need some help?
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
Hi, I'm Anita Park and this is Evie Novak-Park.
OK. N-O-V-A-K.
Alright, yeah.
Uh, you go in left, head in at the back.
Uh-huh.
Find yourself a mat and, um, try to make yourself at home.
ANITA: Are we gonna be safe here?
I think that this is the safest place in the area, OK, Evie?
OK. Alright.
Matt and Sharon Seccombe, two Cs and an E.
Uh, this is Roxy.
Hey, Roxy.
Michelle McCauley.
Do you know who that is?
No? You haven't seen her on YouTube?
That is Bungan's only claim to fame.
Rock'n'roll star.
Go to the left, get some mats.
You back for Christmas, are ya? Yeah.
Think I stuffed up my timing here, Mr Findlay.
Don't call me Mr Findlay. It's Glen, yeah?
It's been a long time since high school.
Ex...excuse me?
What are you waiting for, the red carpet? Go inside, get a mat.
Who's this little monkey?
Do...do you know if there's a working phone around here somewhere?
I-I need to call my son.
(COCKATOOS SCREECH)
(CLATTERING)
Get out of the way, Psycho.
Excuse me?
Not you, him.
(BLEATS) His name's Psycho.
(BLEATS) Come on, mate.
REPORTER: (ON RADIO) Roads are now closed in both directions
as fires continue to burn across the area.
EVIE: I don't want to sleep here. ANITA: Yeah, we don't have a choice.
Can't we just call someone to get us?
We can't call anyone, Evie. The phones are out. The roads are closed.
We're stuck here till the fires pass.
GIRL: I want to go home.
WOMAN: Let's go and sit down. It's gonna be OK.
We're not gonna be here too long.
REPORTER: (ON RADIO) The power remains out across several LGAs.
MAN: You kids want some water?
WOMAN: Hey. You got out OK?
TASH: Does anybody need a towel?
WOMAN: It was awful.
There was so much smoke, I thought I was gonna pass out.
The phones went before I could let my son know that Jade and I got out.
He doesn't even know we're alive.
REPORTER: (ON RADIO) Residents are advised...
(BROADCAST CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
WOMAN: Ethan? MAN: Ethan, listen, please.
Ethan? Ethan, honey?
Press the key, buddy.
Press it. The key.
Ethy? Ethy?
Eth, your sister wants to play, mate.
(CONTINUES KNOCKING) Ethy?
(SHOUTS) Press the button, Ethan! You know how to do it!
Why'd you give them to him? He lost his fidget spinner.
(ETHAN MOANS) Press it.
Hey, what's the problem?
Press... See? He locked himself in there.
Maybe we can jimmy open the window, yeah? I'll get a firey.
(ETHAN CONTINUES MOANING) Mish...
Hey...Dean.
GIRL: It's OK, Ethan. WOMAN: Press the key. Come on.
What a bloody fiasco.
Baby, just... ETHAN: Aaah!
Come on.
It must be 40 degrees in there! What do you want me to do?
GIRL: Mum, let him out!
It's OK, Ethan. It's not OK! Look at him!
GIRL: Stop, Ethan, stop!
ETHAN: Aaah! Aagh, Mum!
(SMASHES GLASS)
MISH: There you go.
Mum! It's OK.
What happened?
I was just trying to help.
You could have hurt him, Mish.
Come on mate, we'll get you a water.
You're OK now.
I'll be in my room if you need me.
How are we gonna pay for that window?
I don't know, Pen.
You've got all your family now. Right? You OK?
(DOOR CREAKS)
Right.
There we go. Wash your face, Phoebs.
Don't forget the back of your neck.
(SNIFFS) It smells funny in here.
That's just Mish.
She smelt like that when we were in high school, too.
Usually around lunchtime.
She wasn't the only one.
Half the class got...smelly
at one stage or another.
Sorry about the window.
Will Santa be able find us if we're not at home?
I don't know, Phoebs.
It's gonna be hard, with everything going on.
But he can fly, can't he?
It's tough for the reindeer in all the smoke.
They might have to bring him in by helicopter.
Really? Yeah.
He can commando-roll out.
It'll be awesome.
(SIGHS) Let's go, sweetie.
(DOOR CLICKS SHUT)
(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)
WOMAN: Hi.
Um, if it's not too weird,
um, do you think it'd be OK if we get a selfie?
Sure.
I saw your band in Sydney. You were so good.
Thanks.
(PHONE CLICKS)
Thank you.
(DOOR CLOSES)
TASH: ICC Operations from Strike Team QFB02.
MAN: Go ahead, QFB02.
Sitrep on Bungan Community Hall.
23 people on location, including crew. No injuries.
No visible fire in the vicinity.
Establishing asset protection.
Monitoring fires.
Copy that.
MOTT: I found some beds for us to sleep in.
And a couple of mats.
What about Clint? He can find his own spot.
Come here.
Ooh! Too much.
It's nice being stuck for a bit.
Having time to just hang. (CHUCKLES)
Can you give me a lift out to Reedbeds Road?
About 30 minutes out.
I'm sorry, Aunty, it's too dangerous.
I need to get to my place, see what's happened to it.
I'd love to help, but...
We're surrounded by national park and we're still on alert.
There are fires still burning and we just have to stay put.
It's just too dangerous to leave, I'm sorry.
No-one in or out.
Who's your family? Mills.
Wonder how they will feel when that they find out
that their boy couldn't help out an old lady in need.
Shame job.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
MISH: They got any Gatorade or anything?
No.
Power's out anyway, so nothing's cold.
Want some water?
Yeah.
(WATER RUNS)
Hangover from hell.
Mum and Dad evacuated ahead of me and I ended up getting stuck here.
Your place OK?
I think so. Yours?
Gone.
Dean, I'm sorry.
Look out.
SpongeBob alert.
I forgot we called him that.
Still as square as ever. I always felt sorry for him.
Trying to teach music to a bunch of talentless shitheads.
Except for you, of course.
Hey, there, someone needs to take over watching the roof
and watch out for the embers and the approaching fires and...
You don't have to do it if you don't want to, mate.
No, I'll do it. Just let me tell Penny.
Alright, well, if you see anything, blow the whistle, alright?
Remember how to play one?
Yeah? Alright.
MAN: Julian, do what you're told.
Some people didn't even have enough time to pack food, yeah?
I'm gonna figure something out for them. You wanna help?
Uh, no, sorry. I'm actually allergic to kitchens.
You know, I run into your mum sometimes. She's real proud of you.
Talks about you all the time. Yeah.
She bailed me up the other day at the chemist,
telling me how to download your album.
And I did and, uh...
..I liked it.
MAN: We had no idea it was so close.
Ooh... Yeah.
Looked out the back, saw the flames maybe 100, 200 metres away.
I swear, not even a minute later, they were right at the back door.
Hmm!
Our house is in there somewhere.
I'm sorry.
I'm starving. ANITA: Me too.
Look at them. Thank you.
Yeah?
Do you know if this margarine has milk in it?
My daughter's allergic to dairy. Oh.
Uh...
Uh, yes, it does, see? There you go.
Milk solids.
I can't have that either, without gassing up the place.
Have you got any without?
Did we spread 'em all? Yeah, well, no-one said anything.
She can just have plain bread.
I don't... I think that we used it all.
Jesus!
Sorry, we...we just haven't eaten since last night.
CHILDREN: (SHOUT) It's Santa! It's Santa!
Mum, Santa's coming!
(CHILDREN SHOUT EXCITEDLY)
CHILD: It's a helicopter! It's Santa!
(CHILDREN CONTINUE SHOUTING) (HELICOPTER WHIRRS)
(CHILDREN CONTINUE SHOUTING)
CHILD: Santa! Santa! Santa!
You were right. He's in a helicopter.
Told you. He's the man.
It's Santa! He found us!
He found us! Santa's gonna bring presents tonight!
Phoebs, listen sweetheart...
Ethan! Ethan!
Serious?
What do you think's gonna happen in the morning when they wake up
and there's fuck-all for them?
No Santa, no presents, nothing?
(CHILDREN CONTINUE SHOUTING)
Phoebe? Phoebe, honey, listen to me.
AUNTY JUNE: Oi, get out of it! Get out of there, you! Shoo! Shoo!
Get it out! Oh, God, no!
Get off!
Get out of it, ya mongrel! Get out of it!
Hey! Psycho!
Mate, come here, come here. Get him off, get him off!
Come here. That's all we had, you idiot!
GLEN: Keep him outside. What'd I say?
Go fuck yourself, mate.
It's OK.
(SIGHS)
(WOMAN SIGHS)
Don't worry. He'll come back tonight.
(SIGHS)
Oh, shit!
Dean!
Mish. Sorry.
Far out...
What are you doing? Nothing.
I just wanted something for the kids.
They were so excited about Santa coming, I just...
Shit. I was gonna tell 'em...
.."Santa gave you money this year."
I don't know what to do, Mish.
I don't know where we're gonna live.
Got no house. No job.
We got nothing, except for that shitbox car.
(SNIFFS)
I can't even give my kids a fuckin' Christmas present.
(SLAMS VAN DOOR)
(SIGHS)
(STARTS ENGINE)
GLEN: Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
(PANTS)
Where you going? You know the fires are still going on out there, yeah?
It's dangerous.
Where are you going, all dressed up like that?
I just thought I'd try it on.
I thought the kids might get a kick out of it tomorrow.
I'm going to my place. There's food and presents there.
It's a fucked-up Santa that turns up without any presents.
You know, the fireys told us just to stay here.
Well, then, you'd better do what they say.
You don't wanna break the rules, do you, SpongeBob?
Well, go on, before I change my mind.
Just don't go too fast, yeah?
You know you look like a paedo in that outfit, right?
Oh, come on, SpongeBob.
Have you ever laughed at anything?
I laugh when things are funny, yeah?
(COCKATOOS SCREECH)
(KOOKABURRA LAUGHS)
You were lucky.
Ugh!
GLEN: We should get moving.
Most of the cold stuff's off. We'll have to make do with this.
Hey. This one's for you.
Give it to someone else.
Why didn't you evacuate with your folks?
I was too drunk to drive.
Ah. Oh, I know that look.
I'm not judging ya.
You are kidding me, right? Let it go, it's ancient history.
Do you think that we should take the tree?
That tree's a piece of crap.
I know where we can find a good one.
SpongeBob? We should get back.
It's locked. Let's just go, yeah?
Go on, you do it.
Take a walk on the wild side.
They left in a hurry.
Told you. It's the motherlode.
There you go, SpongeBob. Fill that up.
They've got everything. Must have been planning a feast.
Happy Christmas to me.
(BOTTLES CLINK)
Presents and food. That's what you said, right?
Not booze. Cheer up, Santa.
Just trying to lighten things up a bit.
No, I know exactly what you're doing.
You do, do you? Yeah.
I taught you for three years. I know how you work, right?
And all this, it's not about the kids, is it?
What's it about, then?
It's about you, just like always, yeah?
You just need to be the centre of attention.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Right, don't I?
You think you're so right on.
You're the cool teacher dude,
knowing your students, all caring and sharing,
and that is such bullshit!
I got expelled because of you!
No, you brought vodka to a school carnival. I had to report ya.
That's just how it is, right? You knew I was on a warning.
You knew that I would get kicked out if you reported me.
But you did it anyway.
Jeez, why don't you just let it go, yeah?
You did it anyway, 'cause you're such a fucking square pants.
Why are you bringing this up, yeah? You're a success.
You got out of here. What's wrong with ya?
Oh, my God.
You're jealous of me.
Really? Because I got out of here...
You got tickets on yourself, don't ya?
And you're still hanging around a shit-hole town school...
Yeah? Teaching zit-faced teenagers
to play Fleur de Lis,
playing air guitar on the weekends in your underpants.
You know everything, don't ya?
I bet the best thing in your entire life is writing end-of-year reports.
Yeah, yeah, go on. Here's a report for you.
Shit teacher, self-righteous, judgemental,
think you're better than everyone else, for no reason.
Fuck you, SpongeBob.
My name's Glen, yeah? Fuck you, Glen.
(SLAMS SLIDING DOOR)
Stop. Stop!
Just back up. There's someone walking down there.
Hey, what are you doing?!
I'm going to my place. Don't try and stop me.
You can't be out here, right? It's not safe.
What are you talking about? YOU'RE out here.
We're going back now. We're gonna give you a lift.
Unless you're going to my place, I don't want a lift.
Stop, stop. Get in the car. We're going back.
Aunty, I'll take you to your place. Thank you, my girl.
If you don't want to come in, then get out. Walk back.
Come on, you coming or you going?
Thought so.
I need some space.
(RUNNING FOOTSTEPS)
We've got a problem.
What is it?
We've lost some of them.
What? Lost...?
Lost where?
There's a vehicle gone too, so I'm guessing they're all together.
What, are they on the fireground?
Well, we...we can't go, because then, if we leave here,
everyone else is exposed
and...and we...we won't be able to protect them.
Hey. We can't leave.
Hey.
Ah, shit.
Tash?
GLEN: I don't think we should be out here that long.
Just up here. Turn-off to my place.
There's still fires burning out here.
There's no fires. It's all green. Look.
There.
Turn.
No.
Maybe we should go back now.
Wait.
That garden bed there...
Them plants that was there...
..they was all named after my grannies.
I'm sorry about your home.
I'll build it again.
Even if I have to live in a tent...
..and build another garden bed for my grannies.
What were you thinking?
What if something had happened to you?
We wouldn't have been able to help you.
She's talking to you too, Aunty.
Talk to this, my boy.
Were you thinking about anyone else before you took off?
Do you realise the position you put us in?
Tash, it's alright, they're here now.
Just... Don't leave again.
MISH: OK.
DEAN: You scared us, Mish.
Santa's coming after all.
(SIGHS)
Let's get these out before the kids wake up.
(PSYCHO BLEATS)
You're a bloody embarrassment, you are, pissing everyone off.
Should serve you up for dinner.
(BLEATS)
(JANGLING) (CHUCKLES)
(BLEATS)
(BIRDS SCREECH)
SPIDER: You ready?
Hold your hands over your eyes.
That's it.
No peeking.
Phoebe, I'm watching you.
So is Psycho.
OK, come on.
Look out. CHILD: Can we look?
And...now!
Yay!
A Christmas tree!
(CHILDREN CHEER) CHILD: Christmas!
SPIDER: This way!
Yes! Whoo! Go on, off you go! Go!
GIRL: Christmas tree! BOY: Whoa!
That's our tree. Yeah. Don't say anything.
Come on.
(MUSIC PLAYS OVER DIALOGUE)
(HORN BLARES)
Ho, ho, ho!
CHILDREN: Santa! Santa! Santa!
SANTA: Yay!
Ho! Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
Hey, Santa! Ho-ho! Whoo-hoo-hoo!
Merry Christmas, boys and girls!
And parents!
Hey! Ho-ho!
PENNY: Where are your reindeer, Santa?
Rudolph and the reindeers are fighting the fires!
(ALL CHEER) Ho-ho-ho!
Oh-ho-ho!
(SANTA CHEERS)
Oh, this is a very special one.
This is for... It's alright. It's fine.
..Phoebe. It's fine.
Phoebe.
Santa might have got the presents a bit mixed up this year
'cause he's just been a bit confused as to where you are.
(WOMAN LAUGHS)
What is it?
It's a magic wand, Phoebs.
(LAUGHTER)
It's a neck massager. For your tension headaches.
I love it. Thanks, darling.
Is there an Ethan? Ethan's here.
Where's Ethan? It's a special one, alright? Just for you.
(GASPING)
PENNY: Ooh, Ethy!
Beautiful! You look so handsome.
Yeah.
Thank you, Santa.
Who else?
Take them, take them. Share them out. Share them out.
You be my little elf. You take them. Here, I got more.
(GASPS)
Spread the joy! Ooh, look at that!
Spread the joy!
Thank you.
Help 'em open them. Open 'em up. Let's go.
MAN: Rip in!
GIRL: Over here. Throw it here!
Throw it here.
(SWING SQUEAKS)
Are you sad?
Yeah, a little bit.
This is magic.
(MASSAGER WHIRRS)
Can you feel it working?
Yeah, I can. That's good.
Don't stop.
Let's party.
Shit, yeah!
('THEOPHILUS THISTLER' BY SONIC ANIMATION PLAYS)
Whoo!
Whoa! Ooh! Whoa! (LAUGHS)
(LAUGHS)
(MUFFLED MUSIC CONTINUES IN NEXT ROOM)
('MONKY DISCO' BY BABE RAINBOW PLAYS)
# Supergirl, save us, save us
# Supergirl, save us, save us all... #
Do you ever think you ended up with the wrong girl?
# Je suis le bel arc-en-ciel
# Comme l'ours, j'aime le miel... #
Come here, you.
No.
Never.
Not for a second.
(WHOOPING)
(MUFFLED MUSIC CONTINUES IN HALL)
Dessert.
It's better than the ration packs.
(MOTT SIGHS)
(SIGHS) You gonna tell me what's going on?
Being here...
..just us...
I don't know.
I don't know, it just... made me think about
what's gonna happen when all this is over.
Hey.
I've got something for you.
I thought we were gonna do presents later on.
It seemed like the right time.
Come on.
Let's try it on.
Something...to remember home.
It's from our beach.
Thank you.
You're never gonna lose me, Tash.
I'm here for good.
Me too.
# That I
# I belong here, I belong here... #
Thanks. What?
Thank you.
# I belong here, I belong here... # For all this.
It's really special.
Well, it wasn't my idea.
(LAUGHS)
CHILD: Mum! Look here! # I'm still here
What's that? I don't know.
You wanna show Mum?
Mum!
Mum, look!
Play us a song. I don't know how.
Yes, you do.
DEAN: Mish knows.
Sing for us.
SPIDER: Come on, sing something.
SHARON: Go on. Go on.
Get someone else. SHARON: Oh, come on, Mish.
Come on, sing something! SPIDER: Do...do Bat out of Hell.
Yeah, you're a rock star.
No, no, no. I wanna hear a carol.
It's Christmas.
But I...can't.
SHARON: Mish...
# I belong here... #
You know, you were right about me.
I do play air guitar in my underpants.
Early '90s stuff.
Green Day, Weezer.
I'm not even every good at it.
And I really wish that I could do what you do because...
..it takes some nuts to put yourself out there.
Closest I've ever got to being a performer on stage is, uh...
..like this.
(CHUCKLES)
You know why I really came home?
'Cause I'm broke.
Everyone thinks I'm this big success,
touring and playing and...living the life.
But I am...I'm just scraping by.
I've been working as a kitchenhand, just to survive.
Living in my van.
(CHUCKLES)
Bungan's only claim to fame is a dishpig.
I came back to tell my parents.
But I couldn't do it.
I couldn't face them.
Especially my mum.
I don't know why I'm crying. It's nothing to cry about.
Not with everything else that's going on.
I'm sorry, I didn't ask.
Hmm?
If your place is OK.
I don't know.
You know, for what it's worth, I think you're alright.
You're alright, too.
Wanna go back to the party?
In your own time, yeah?
(SINGS) # Silent night
# Holy night
# All is calm
# All is bright
# Round yon virgin mother and child
# Holy infant so tender and mild
# Sleep in heavenly pea-eace
# Slee-eep in heavenly peace
# Silent night
# Holy night
# Shepherds quake at the sight
(WIND HOWLS)
# Glory streams from heaven afar
# Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah
# Christ the Saviour is bo-orn
# Chri-ist the Saviour is born.
# Silent night
(WHOOSHING) # Holy night
# All is calm
# All is bright
# Round yon virgin, mother... #
(BLOWS WHISTLE)
Ethan! CLINT: Fire! (BLOWS WHISTLE)
MOTT: Shit.
PENNY: Oh, God! Get him back inside!
WOMAN: Inside! Get him inside!
(ETHAN CRIES) MOTT: Get everyone back inside, now.
Keep 'em safe. Just get 'em back inside. Come on.
You heard him. Let's go. Let's go.
Come on, come on. Come on. They're doing their job.
MOTT: Take this.
TASH: Water on! MOTT: Water on!
Get back inside! MOTT: I'm gonna start a wet-down!
MISH: Come on. We gotta go.
(PANICKED CHATTER)
GLEN: Everyone in! Get everyone in! Quick!
Bring him in.
WOMAN: Close the doors. NATHAN: Come on mate, get in.
Close the doors. Yeah, get in.
NATHAN: Pass the towels! Let's block it up. Block it up!
(WATER GUSHES OUTSIDE)
(RATTLING AND CLATTERING)
Oh...
NATHAN: We've got some over there.
(RATTLING AND CLATTERING CONTINUES)
(PSYCHO BLEATS)
(ETHAN MOANS)
(LOUD WHOOSHING)
(RUMBLING)
(COCKATOO SCREECHES)
(CRACKLING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey. The roads are open.
We're escorting out in 20 minutes if you want to go.
The fires have passed.
Great. AUNTY JUNE: I'm not going anywhere.
Well, you can stay if you want, Aunty.
They're bringing in supplies.
Turning this place into an official evacuation centre.
(PSYCHO BLEATS) This is for you. Merry Christmas.
MISH: Hey.
We're staying.
We'll be comfortable enough here till we figure everything out.
You?
Um...
Mum and Dad'll be home soon.
I need to talk to them about something,
so...I'll be staying, for a little bit anyway.
Cool.
GIRL: When are WE going home?
MISH: Glen.
Mish.
I'm just gonna go and see if my house is still there.
(SIGHS)
Do you want some company? Yeah.
(VOICE BREAKING) Yeah, that would be nice.
Hell of a party, young lady.
(LAUGHS)
Let's go, Psycho.
(PSYCHO BLEATS)
GLEN: (SNIFFS) God...
Yeah...
The animals! What are you doing?! They're gonna die!
There is no time, Zo!
Aagh!
Where are the trucks? The roof is on fire!
We currently have no available
appliances in responding distance.
We're on our own.
I need a truck. I've got two people trapped in a burning house.
I can't pull trucks I don't have out of my arse!
Re-route the Queensland team.
10 Blue Wren Road, West Curran.
Two women sheltering. Priority. TASH: Acknowledge priority, over.
Mott, we've gotta go. (SIREN WAILS)
"It's too late to leave." That's what you said.
I'm not dying in here.
Go! Go! Go! (COUGHING)
Captions by Red Bee Media
Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation