As fires burned across Mount Gambier’s iconic Sugarloaf on January 25, some staff at Tenison Woods College put their firefighting boots on and joined the crews on the hill to help contain the blaze.

Year 8 teacher and College Sustainability Coordinator Tom Linnell has been a part of the Mount Gambier MFS since 2018 and when he heard about the fire he knew he would have some involvement.

Although not on call that day, Mr Linnell arrived at school for a staff induction day and when he saw the extent of the fire, contacted his officers to let them know he could be available to relieve crew.

“I went to the station to get ready, grabbed my kit and supplies of water and food for the other firefighters and then swapped out with crew who had just returned to the station from their shift,” he said.

Joining him at the station was Tenison Woods College Board Chair Peter Collins who is also a member of the MFS.

The two were stationed together at the Centenary Tower carpark where they were responsible for containing fires on either side of the path up to the historic tower.

Mr Linnell’s role was to drive the truck and facilitate the pumping of water from the tank to the hoses.

“I was grateful to work closely with members of the City of Mount Gambier Council who supplied a bulk water carrier.

“Access to water was a significant problem for us up on the hill, so the council played a critical role by supplying the machinery for this,” he said.

Mr Collins praised the logistical side of the entire operation.

“The way the CFS, MFS, SES and aerial crew worked together, along with the support of the city council and local businesses, was amazing.

“The coordination of it all was incredible and I am so glad I could be involved,” he said.

This was Mr Collins’ first involvement in a major fire, only being with the MFS for 12 months.

“It was a huge learning experience for me and one I will never forget,” he said.

“I joined the MFS as a way of giving back to the community and although it was an extremely tough day, it was rewarding to be involved.”

“It was also great working so closely with another member of the Tension Woods College community Tom Linnell, who also teaches my two children.”

Mr Linnell worked with crew up at Centenary Tower until 10pm on the eve of Australia Day, before relocating to the north-west side of the mountain where his role was to ensure that embers and spot fires did not encroach on Tenison Drive and the Tenison Woods College grounds.

He stayed there with crew until 9am the following morning.

“There were trees falling down everywhere when we were up there,” he said.

Other Tenison Woods College staff involved in the firefighting efforts were education support officer Adam Maxwell, a new staff member in 2022, and groundsman Justin Kenny.

Mr Maxwell is a part of the Mount Gambier MFS and Mr Kenny is a member of the Moorak CFS.

After his pager went off around 2am on January 25 Mr Kenny went straight to the Moorak station and began his shift.

“I was stationed at the Centenary Tower carpark for most of my shift,” he said, with his main role driving the truck and operating the pump.

After a 12-hour shift fighting the fires, he made his way down the hill to begin his regular job at Tenison Woods College for the day.

Mr Kenny returned to the fireground on Australia Day with other crews to maintain and monitor the fires.

“The heat (on Wednesday) was really intense. The efforts of the aerial crew, particularly the black hawk helicopter were impressive,” he said.