Dr Robert Sawyer lost three of his mates and his eyesight in his former life as a volunteer fire fighter.
The then 20-year-old Heathcote Bushfire Brigade deputy captain also suffered severe burns and physical disabilities to most of his body fighting the raging fire on January 9, 1983.
Legally blind and with extensive disabilities which are “complex and compounding”, Dr Sawyer is constantly reminded of that fateful day 35 years ago.
But while the tragedy saw him “swear off” fire research on several occasions, it also ignited a passion to do something positive on the “important” issue of bushfire behaviour and climate change.
On Wednesday Dr Sawyer, who attended Heathcote High School, graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Wollongong.
“Because of what’s happened to me on several occasions I’ve sworn off fire research but in the end my academic interest and knowing it is an important area of research drew me back,” he said.
What I’m left with is more like lobster claws than hands.
- Dr Robert Sawyer
“The research is all about fire regime and climate change and the effects that has on carbon sequestration potential...so understanding the importance of different attempts to manipulate fire regime.”
Dr Sawyer, who now lives at Manly, remembers vividly fighting the fire with his mates throughout most of the day back in 1983 before disaster struck.
“It was late in the day when we got caught out by a fairly complex set of circumstances and three people died as a result of that,” he said.
“The other six of us survived with various stages of burning.”
The 55-year-old suffered high-degree burns to the head, arms and back as well as severe respiratory burns.
“The subsequent treatment unfortunately took out the central vision in both eyes and the motor function and sensation in the lower legs,” he said.
Other people have had to be my eyes and fingers in this process, and I thank them for that.
- Dr Robert Sawyer
Both his arms were also severely deformed and doctors were set to amputate both arms from the shoulders down.
“But because I wasn’t well enough for that to happen, they decided there wasn’t enough regenerative tissue to work with, and did some fairly extensive reconstruction work….but what I’m left with is more like lobster claws than hands.”
Dr Sawyer spent a year recovering in Concord Hospital before spending the following year at a rehabilitation centre in Thirroul.
“I think about [fire] it but it's not something that haunts me daily,” he said.
“But I do often reflect on my fellow survivors.”
But Wednesday was all about celebrating for Dr Sawyer and his wife of 27-years Carol Sawyer, who graduated with a second Masters in Education.
“There have been a lot of people who have helped me on my journey who I need to thank,” Dr Sawyer said.
“Being legally blind and having very poor dexterity I’ve had a lot of support to complete tasks. Other people have had to be my eyes and fingers in this process, and I thank them for that.”
