February - Bush Fire Heritage Recovery

Bush Fire Heritage Recovery

In February 2009, devastating bushfires affected many areas across the State of Victoria, destroying vast areas of forest vegetation. I have been involved as part of a project team based out of the Yarra Valley Ranges Region in post fire Heritage Assessments in the Cambarville area which is located close to the township of Marysville who were completely devastated by fire and are now in the process of rebuilding their community.

The Cambarville reserve was partially affected by the fires and includes the Cumberland Memorial Scenic Reserve and associated sites related to the early European settlement, gold mining, saw milling and tourism activities.

Parks Victoria posts signs after bushfires warning park visitors of the potential hazards affecting how one experiences a forest after the fires.

Finding historic machinery in the forest and assessing what remains of Chalet Hubertus

One standing building, Chalet Hubertus, was destroyed and extensive areas of the forest were burnt exposing previously unknown pieces of historic machinery. I spent a day on-site doing the assessment with the project team and brought Brian along with me for the experience. It really made us realize the seriousness and impact of fire as a threat in the

state and when Black Saturday came around on Feb. 7th, we could really appreciate the struggles that individuals, families and communities were commemorating and still enduring on the first anniversary of the 2009 fires.