A Memory - Marysville

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.