Strathbogie Shire Acting Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy was leading the community while worrying if her own property had been affected by the blaze.
Photo by
Billie Davern
As the Murrindindi, Strathbogie and Mitchell communities reel from the devastating Longwood bushfire, the mayors leading the three shires have shared their thoughts on the situation at large.
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Strathbogie Shire Acting Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy
Strathbogie Shire Deputy Mayor Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy took the mayoral position during the Longwood bushfire as Mayor Scott Jeffery, who is a CFA volunteer, was on the scene fighting fires.
Cr Ewart-Kennedy said she was no stranger to fires.
“I’ve got to say, this is the scariest (thing) I’ve ever felt,” she said.
“I have been in a fire, I nearly died; I’ve lost a family home growing up ... It’s really traumatising, and it’s devastating, but you can replace hay and sheds and buildings, you can’t replace people.”
Cr Ewart-Kennedy added that there would be a long road ahead once the blaze was controlled, but that’s where the affected communities would shine.
“It’s going to impact our businesses, our communities, and the clean-up will be mammoth and hard, really very hard on our community,” she said.
“But, country communities do what they do best.
“We come together, we don’t waste time, we just get it done because the most important thing is your neighbour.”
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said he was amazed at the community’s resilience and support of each other during the difficult time.
Photo by
Wayne Herring
Cr John Dougall was at the Seymour community relief centre on Pollard St on Friday, January 9.
In speaking to evacuees who sought refuge at the centre, he noted that, for many, the choice was made for them.
“A lot of people didn’t have much of a choice,” Cr Dougall said.
“They were in a location where (the fire) was moving fast, it was extremely dangerous, and they were told to leave.
“So, the decision was made for them, effectively.
“They packed up and left, and now they can’t get back to their house. You ask them, ‘Is your house still there?’, and they don’t know — they’re feeling a certain way, they’re probably very nervous and frightened, almost, about what may be, what may or may not have occurred.
“There’re people who’ve come down from Ruffy, it’s a pretty small town, but the primary school has burnt to the ground, the general store has burnt to the ground. There were four or five homes in town, and I think only one is standing.”
Cr Dougall emphasised the resilience of the community in facing dire situations such as the bushfire.
“I’m always amazed at the volunteers and the people who are so generous,” he said.
“Every time you meet these groups, you realise this is how you build communities, this is what a society looks like and how it functions well when you have that level of generosity and that level of volunteering.”
Murrindindi Shire Mayor Damien Gallagher
Murrindindi Shire Mayor Damien Gallagher says council will “walk alongside” the community as it recovers from the Longwood fire.
Photo by
SAM HICKS
In a statement issued by the council on Saturday, January 10, Mayor Damien Gallagher sent a message of support to those within the shire and across surrounding regions.
“This is one of the largest and most complex fire events our community has faced in many years. The situation remains dynamic and challenging, and we are still firmly in the emergency response phase. Conditions have been demanding for emergency services, council staff and volunteers, and this will continue for some time yet,” he said.
“Murrindindi is a resilient community, shaped by lived experience and a strong sense of looking out for one another. Council is committed to walking alongside our community through the ongoing emergency response and the long recovery process ahead.”
