The tight-knit community of Harcourt North held a gathering on February 13 to thank some of the heroes who assisted them during the devastating January 9 fire and its aftermath.
Ravenswood South property owner Bryan Palmer thanked all the firefighters who came to their aid on that fateful day in “what must have been unfathomable circumstances, that eventually saw more than 150 appliances battling the fire”.
“There was a devastating loss of properties, with several local CFA members also losing homes and businesses, but it could have been a hell of a lot worse. For every home that was lost, countless others were saved, volunteers putting themselves on the line to help us. Their commitment continues to this day, six weeks later, monitoring the fireground and responding to smokers. There is nothing else to say but thank you, thank you, thank you,” Bryan said.
These sentiments were met with a rousing round of applause from the crowd.
Bryan then presented a framed photograph of the local brigade to Harcourt CFA captain Andrew Wilson for the local ‘heroes amongst heroes’.
Captain Wilson thanked the community for the kind gift and words of thanks.
“There were firefighters from Merbein to Bass here on the day. The footprint of this fire was the smallest of the 10 in the state and a testament to their efforts. We have also had over 50 strikes teams visit in the weeks since and our crews continue to work on roster,” Mr Wilson said.
“As a community, we need to stick together. The scars of what happened on Friday, January 9, are going to stay with us for a long time, but Mother Nature is already coming back, with green shoots in the black,” he said.
Local youngsters took the opportunity to present their CFA heroes, Captain Wilson and fellow Harcourt brigade members Tyrone and Raewyn Rice, with some special drawings and messages of thanks.
Mr Wilson then presented first responder, Greater City of Bendigo grader driver, Trevor ‘Richo’ Richardson, with a framed photograph taken of him working to put the critical containment line in place as the fire raged in the background.
Mr Richardson (aka Richo) was expecting to meet a strike team when he arrived in North Harcourt, but crews had moved away to tackle the oncoming fire front. With previous fire experience he was able to put his knowledge and skills into practise. Taking the initiative, he carved a containment line, which has since been dubbed by locals as ‘The Richardson Line’, behind homes lining McIvor Road, the Harcourt North Community Hall and other structures and is credited with assisting to stop the spread of the fire.
“It was a real team effort between local councils, the hundreds of CFA crews, FRV, FMM, other agencies and the community. That day had all the hallmarks of being worse than Black Saturday, and the fact that there was no injury or death was such a blessing,” Richo said.
Youngster Albert personally thanked Richo for saving their house, before the kids in attendance also presented the grader driver with some fantastic grader pictures in thanks for saving their homes.
“They will be going straight to the pool room!” Richo commented.
Finally, Harcourt North resident David Fiddelaers presented the remnants of a charred fence post to Harcourt Progress Association member Michael Henry in appreciation of the organisation’s incredible support and leadership in the community in the aftermath of the fire.
“In those initial days after the fire, you provided a place for people to come together at VMR, you fed us, provided us with essentials, and gave us a space to connect with neighbours and begin the steps towards recovery,” David said.
Mr Henry said some media outlets queried how they would rebuild the Harcourt community in the wake of the fire.
“My answer to them was, ‘It doesn’t need to be rebuilt, this community is rock solid, it is indestructible, and we will come out of this stronger than before’.”
