Kerry and Faye Hempenstall look over fire photos with ABC presenter Lindy Burns.
By Kath Gannaway
THERE was a lot of talk about good wine, good food and the magnificent views last week when ABC presenter Lindy Burns did her afternoon radio program from Kerry and Faye Hempenstall’s Chum Creek home.
The ABC has broadcast from the Yarra Valley throughout the year, as well as from Marysville and Kinglake providing local people with an opportunity to share their stories of Black Saturday and track the recovery of their communities.
Guests included community, commerce, CFA and local government representatives.
There were also chilling accounts of the events of a year ago as Chum Creek took the brunt of a wind change which destroyed many houses, reflections on the challenges of the past year, progress made and the inevitable question of how each community member would mark the one year anniversary.
The Hempenstalls told of how they fought to save their home, while other buildings and the bush was burning all around them, hit by a wave of flame 60-foot high, fanned by strong winds and scattering embers ahead of it all.
Mrs Hempenstall said there was a time when she felt the heat and intensity of the fire was so fierce she feared for their lives.
Her husband was spared that fear, but only by default.
“Liam (their son) and I were action men at that time – not thinking men,” Mr Hempenstall said, adding they were so focused on saving the house they didn’t have time to be scared.
Garry Slater and Joanne Tate from Healesville Chamber of Commerce spoke of the effect of the fires on businesses in the valley and Yarra Ranges Council CEO Glenn Patterson gave an insight into the challenges faced by the council in the immediate aftermath of the fires, over the past year, and as residents enter their second year post 7 February.
Ms Burns spoke with Julie Stafford of the Hodges Road Fire Guard Group, Healesville Sanctuary veterinarian Phillipa Mason, Yarra Glen CFA captain Bill Boyd, local wine-maker Tom Carson, Mandala Winery owner Charles Smedley and Marysville businessman David Barton and Lyn Mullens from Dixons Creek – and others.
Ms Mullens who lost her own home and farm in the fires, and co-ordinated the volunteer fencing program for the Victorian Farmers Federation, spoke passionately of the generosity of the army of volunteers who poured into the Yarra Valley.
Ms Burns said it was an honour to give a voice to the hundreds of people in fire-affected communities she had met over the past year.
“You realise the resilience of people and how much we need each other,” she said.
