By Monique Ebrington
YARRA Glen and District Pony Club was saved from being destroyed in the Black Saturday fires by the heroic efforts of passersby.
When fires tore through Yarra Glen on 7 February, resident David Bourke jumped into his water delivery truck and drove up and down roads dousing water onto flames from the back of his truck.
Mr Bourke was on Yarra View Road, returning with a second load of water, when he said he saw fires threatening the buildings at the pony club.
“The first fire had started and we were out there for a while. I had to get the next load of water. The sides of the road were on fire so I just drove through and started putting water on everything,” Mr Bourke said.
While grounds, cross country course and fencing were all destroyed the clubrooms and equipment shed with club records, history and gear were saved thanks to Mr Bourke’s efforts.
While the club is extremely grateful for his efforts Mr Bourke, a former member of the Country Fire Authority for 15 years, said he was no hero.
“You just do what you can for the community,” he said.
Mr Bourke said while he was able to douse down many houses he couldn’t get his truck into properties with small gates.
“When people are re-fencing they should get bigger gates. It stopped me getting into a few properties to help,” he said. Yarra Glen and District Pony Club have postponed their March Gymkhana indefinitely and their cross country course and fences need to be rebuilt but it has been easier for the club to resume its activities with the clubhouse still standing.
