Above: His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, third from left, signs the visitors book at the Steels Creek Community Centre – looking on are Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox, Malcolm Calder and Cr Jeanette McRae.
– Kath Gannaway
HIS Royal Highness Prince Edward the Duke of Kent was at Steels Creek on Monday for a cuppa and a chat with members of the local community.
Visiting Australia for official duties in Adelaide and for the Melbourne Arts Festival, the Duke requested a visit to the region to meet with the people who had been affected by bushfires and to express personally his support for their recovery.
Christine Nixon, chairperson of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, accompanied the Duke on a brief tour of some of the worst affected areas of Steels Creek on the edge of the Kinglake National Park.
He was welcomed at the Steels Creek Community Centre by community centre representative Dr Malcolm Calder, Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox and Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae.
Dr Calder gave a brief outline of the make-up of the community and of the affect of the fires.
“On February 7 the valley was consumed by fire and within a few hours over 60 houses were destroyed and we lost 10 of our good friends,” Dr Calder said.
He said the Australian and international communities had responded brilliantly with assistance and that the Steels Creek community was now in the process of recovery.
“I know you have all been through some terrible experiences and I admire your resilience,” the Duke responded.
In the informal atmosphere that he had requested, he spoke with residents, including members of the local garden club, the stitchers group, the community centre committee and others who are playing active roles in the recovery process at both a personal and community level.
The country-style morning tea received an emphatic royal nod of approval, but there was no final word on a suggestion the community centre, which miraculously escaped the fire, might be in line for a new name – The Royal Steels Creek Community Centre.
