BLACK SATURDAY AND A REFLECTION ON OUR RURAL
RESPONSE EFFORTS
It is now 10 years on since Black Saturday, 7 th February, 2009. It had been a day in the 40s
with strong winds. There were bush fires across the state. In particular we remember
places like Callignee & Labartouche in Gippsland; Kinglake, Glenburn, Flowerdale, Dixon’s
Creek, Buxton, Narbethong and of course Marysville. Scorched and burnt to the ground.
Hundreds of lives lost.
We’ve all heard both horror stories of loss and stories of heros and miracles.
It was several years before this event that the Pajero Club set up their Rural Response Group
(RRG) to help people on the land following fire and floods. Club members helped with
clean-ups and repairing fences around Omeo after the 2007 fires and then clearing rocks
from paddocks and grass from fences after floods in Gippsland.
Many members of the Club today may not be aware of the terrific efforts undertaken by
members of the Pajero Club to help country folk after natural disasters. It’s now 10 years
since the Black Saturday fires and this report is to highlight to many newer members of the
Club our important community service efforts. It will also bring back many memories for
members who assisted in so many ways during and after the fires.
Today, the RRG has been wound back with many efforts now coordinated by a group called
BlazeAid, but 10 years ago, in 2009, the Club was directly assisting farmers and property
owners across the state with vital assistance. We did this on two fronts. Doug Hammerton
organised teams to clear property and do fencing, I (Ron Reed) managed the caravan
collection from across the state and then delivery from Seymour and Mooralbark to
properties in the fire raised areas on behalf of DHS.
It is a somewhat fitting time to bring to everyone’s attention the great efforts by so many
members of the Club.
I was editor of Exceed at the time and I’ve gone back through the editions of 2009 and
collected some reflections to share with everyone and tell some of the stories.
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT – MARCH 2009
I note my February newsletter thoughts were composed prior to Saturday 7 th February
2009.
Who was to know one of the worst fires of all times was to hit Victoria that day.
Our hearts have been heavy with the news of the destruction and loss on every level of
those who live in the affected areas.
Club members have suffered losses as a result of the fires and as I write this note, tomorrow
is shaping up to be a very ugly day indeed.
I am extremely proud of the Pajero Club and its members who are all helping on many
levels. We have people working in communication at DSE, serving club members in CFA
and SES, our Rural Response Group is again actively co-ordinating volunteer clubs,
resourcing area team leader clubs, liaising through FWD Vic and putting assistance programs
in place.
Newbies Trip Report.docx
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