By Brad Battin, Berwick Mp
Living in Harkaway at the time, we were all too close to the tragic events of Ash Wednesday.
I was just seven-years-old, so the memories are there, but faded.
We are reminded every year, and photos remind us of the loss, they reignite those smells, the heat, and the feeling of thinking the world was ending.
The ‘world ending’ sounds far-fetched, but this was the view of a seven-year-old seeing day become night and a sky covered by brown smoke and a red reflection from a deadly fire burning over the hill.
I recall my parents were helping Ian and Jenny McDonald, lifelong Harkaway residents, on one night of the fire.
It stands out as I recall Mum wearing a new dress, and in those times, we were not well off, but it was one of her best. Sadly, it was lost to smoke and soot.
In the context of the loss during the tragic events of Ash Wednesday, it was nothing, but as a kid I remember her leaving the house dressed up for a dinner party and returning looking so drained.
After the danger period, and spending time with other families in Harkaway whilst Mum and Dad were away supporting others, we visited Ian and Jenny.
It is a scene that I will never forget, not because of the path that destroyed land and fences, but because the house appeared untouched.
In that house were chickens and two cows from memory.
I missed the moment all animals were in the house including a horse, goats, chickens, a donkey and my favourite cow Daisy. It was a sight to be seen.
As time moves on, and we stop to remember Ash Wednesday, we must never forget the lives lost, the infrastructure destroyed, and the livestock lost.
However, I will always remain indebted to the community spirit it built. Much of this spirit remains today.
Our family were proud to support the efforts of the Berwick Lions Club, Dad was the president and working with his team supported fundraising campaigns to buy Beaconsfield Upper a new fire truck to protect their town. It was the begin of a life of giving back and supporting my community.
To all the CFA volunteers, to every group, person, community member, council officer, Member of Parliament and organisation who did anything during or after Ash Wednesday to protect our community I say, ‘thank you’.
