Radio draws stories together

By Kath Gannaway
ABC Radio kept Victoria informed about the bushfire threat over the past two weeks and, in the Yarra Valley this week, it was a forum for people with a story to tell.
Derek Guille broadcast his three-hour evening program from De Bortoli Winery in Dixons Creek on Tuesday night and from Narbethong and Healesville later in the week.
The guests included Leanne De Bortoli, from whose verandah Mr Guille looked out over what he described as a vista of green vines and blackened earth. Other guest were the Shire of Yarra Ranges Manager Asset and Services Grant Jack, Steels Creek residents Malcolm and Jane Calder, Yarra Ranges Mayor Len Cox, Yarra Glen CFA captain Bill Boyd, CEO of Yarra Valley Racing Brett Shambrooke and other local tourism operators and bushfire survivors.
Mr Jack described two phases of the council’s role: response and resourcing – assisting emergency services with fuel, water, accommodation and catering – and assisting with the recovery process. The latter included on-the-ground assistance and personal support, such as setting up relief centres and Centrelink access.
A Recovery Committee had been set up, which would include community members, but it would not be a quick recovery, he said.
“We have a long journey ahead of us,” he said, adding that some of the impacts would not hit home for weeks, months and years.
Capt Boyd gave a chilling account of what Saturday 7 February was like for his members, saying they knew it was going to be a horrible day.
“I put it out to my guys to make an effort to stay around town, and thank heavens they did that,” he said.
Among several accounts of how people stayed to defend their properties were Malcolm Calder’s description of what he said was 99 per cent luck and one per cent chaos.
Leanne De Bortoli had a wedding in progress when the fires came through. Unable to leave, the bride and groom decided to go ahead with the most important day of their lives, she said.
Ms De Bortoli said they were fortunate that they lost just five acres of their 450-acre vineyards and remained positive that, despite the heatwave and the fires, they would produce a good vintage.
“We have sent out hand-pickers and are sorting in the winery to give the best chance possible, because we still have that commitment to what we do,” she said.
Among many messages to 774 listeners were pleas from business operators saying that, while the Yarra Valley remained open for business, businesses that had been severely impacted by the fires needed immediate government assistance.
“We have been hammered,” said Steve Myles of Immerse in Dixons Creek.
“We have lost half of our buildings and have had massive cancellations. We employ a lot of people who have lost everything and they need a place to come to which provides some sense of normality.
He said that while the valley needed people to continue to patronise local businesses, it was naive to think that this alone would fix the problem.
“We want them to come, and we hope they come, but what we need most is swift action from the government.”
Cr Len Cox said, while the shire’s role had been to help people directly impacted by the fires, the role ahead would be to help those who had lost their homes and livelihoods, and businesses suffering the flow-on effect.
“The way of life for many people has totally changed and there are many people who would like to help them get back to a life they were leading and want to get back to again,” he said.