A memory.
This story is dedicated to the people of Marysville. Some time has passed since Black Saturday, February 7th, 2009 when the town was
devastated by bushfires. Bushfires that killed 45 residents and destroyed approximately 90% of Marysville's buildings.
Marysville
was a town of around 600 permanent residents. Its town’s people experienced the
most catastrophic fire storm. Fires so intense that it spared neither human nor
historic building save a few. The bakery, the lolly shop, the post office, the
tourist information centre, the church where Taj was christened, a motel, a
cafe and the odd house, Bruno’s Sculpture garden, all passed before many people
grasped it had arrived. The expected
sirens were never sounded.
The
cooling Steavenson River that ran through town no match for the tornado of
flames that descended with its supreme power so determined to wreak chaos and
havoc. The shared telephone messages between people assembled at Gallipoli Park where all were aware that many
might perish. Too many to save given the fire’s ferocity. Some must attempt to
make a break and that is what they did. Under escort, a convoy of cars raced
along the one road out of Marysville that had just been cleared; albeit
temporarily; and that was for the briefest of minutes not totally consumed by
flames and smoke. Few escaped to Alex for the road soon succumbed once again to
the inferno as vegetation and cars were incinerated.
Steve, your unselfish abandonment of all your most valued possessions to drive another. Leaving your home to the mercy of that
tsunami-like fire, knowing that when you returned that everything you owned
would be lost to the searing flames. To Grace, who evacuated Marylands and its
guests to the expected safety of Gallipoli Park. I hope that your face cream
and hair wand remind you of happier times that we all shared at Marysville. To Alex and Helen at Snobb’s Creek winery who made your home available to many
friends when all around was under siege.
To
Kay who served us breakfast, the lady who owned the bikie bar, 'In Neutral' and
the girl who allowed me to shop at Lit.
A special thank you to Kay and Nora who cared
for my daughter when she lived in Marysville. I commend your courage, your
resilience and your determination to rebuild.
