Louis Bell, James Guillot and Gareth Hart are thanked by Tom and Grace Walker for their efforts in helping the Walkers save their Chum Creek home.By Monique Ebrington
CHUM Creek residents Tom and Grace Walker were reunited with the three young men who helped them, and a neighbour, save their home from the Black Saturday fires.
The couple reunited with their heroes after 18-year-old Gareth Hart’s mother read the article in the Mail and knew that her son was one of the young men mentioned.
Mrs Walker said she was thrilled to meet and learn more about the young men that helped her and her husband save their home.
Gareth Hart, 19-year-old James Guillot and 18-year-old Louis Bell relived with Mr and Mrs Walker and the Mail what they experienced on February 7.
The trio had gone up to Chum Creek in the evening to make sure the Hart family home was safe as Gareth said he had been worrying about his family’s safety.
“I was so panicky during the day and was regularly on the telephone and wanted to get up here to help them (his parents) out,” Gareth said.
When they everything was secure at the Hart property Gareth said wanted to see if they could help anyone else.
“We just drove up and saw a hill on fire and saw a backyard and quickly went up to the house,” Gareth said.
Seeing the gas lantern on though the Walkers’ front window they realised that there were still people staying to defend their homes.
Armed with shovels and a rake they began helping Mr and Mrs Walker, and their neighbour Graham Smith, put out spot fires. Louis Bell has been in the region as part of a working holiday from New Zealand.
He said that he didn’t mind following his mates into the bushfire area and wasn’t afraid as he, Gareth and James ran around putting out spot fires.
“We were just together and he needed a hand so we just did it,” Louis said.
“Everything was just hot and burning, there was smoke everywhere. I didn’t really think about whether I was scared — I was too busy.”
Mrs Walker said she and her husband were happy to say their thanks in person.
“We just could not believe that three young fellows would take it upon themselves to use their initiative and do something like that … just to knock on a stranger’s door,” Mrs Walker said.
