By Kath Gannaway
THERE are signs of recovery in Chum Creek after the bushfires.
On Saturday 25 April residents gathered at the community hub – the local primary school – in their first formal get-together after the fires destroyed 36 houses, outbuildings, fences and acres of bushland.
The event was organised as part of the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ post-bushfire recovery effort.
On hand to provide information and advice to residents were the shire’s community bushfire recovery officer Mandy Black, social and economic development director Alison Cran, mayor Len Cox, Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae, and other shire staff.
The afternoon provided an opportunity for residents, in some cases for the first time since the fire, to talk about their experiences on the day, what they would have done differently – or the same – and what was happening as they worked with the various agencies to put their lives back together.
Craige Foote and his family, wife Michelle, toddler Daniel and baby Jayson lost their home. They plan to rebuild and came back for the day to reconnect with the community they have been part of for five years.
Craige said they tried not to think of what they had lost but were focusing on putting their energy into rebuilding and getting back to a normal life.
“If you stopped to think about everything you lost, you wouldn’t cope,” he said.
“You just say this is the hand I’ve been dealt, and you deal with it.”
He said Michelle initially had not been keen on going back but as time has gone on they are all looking forward to returning.
The family had made their fire plan a couple of years ago after a CFA street meeting.
“We said at that time we would probably go, and because the fire was so fast the decision was easy for us,” he said.
Peggy Horner lives in Chum Creek Road and while she and husband John had prepared their house against the fires, ultimately they chose to leave.
Mrs Horner said they had lived in Chum Creek for 10 years but didn’t know a lot of people.
She said she had grandchildren at the house on Black Saturday and left when the house came under threat.
Her husband and son Bryan stayed for half an hour but retreated when flames surrounded the house.
“I think we just realised we’re too old to do anything really major,” Mrs Horner said. The house survived, but they lost sheds. Bryan lost his house.
“We were very fortunate, we got out but like everyone else, it’s left its mark.”
Richard and Wai-Lin Galbraith have lived in Chum for 18 years and although they don’t know everybody they have good neighbours in their street.
They saved their home but their next-door neighbours weren’t so fortunate. The Galbraith’s have provided a roof over their heads ever since the fires – and say they are grateful they still have a house and are now able to do something to help.
Healesville’s Rotary Club continued their role of supporting events and efforts to help with the recovery putting on the traditional sausage sizzle and adding another small gesture – each person was given a plant as a sign of regeneration.
