The generosity of community and the Alpine economic shift with Darren Murphy

Although Darren was not directly affected by the 2009 bushfires, he was a member of the Lion’s club in Myrtleford. He describes the response based on immediate needs like water and fencing, helping people socialise and fund-raising. He also shares the problems experienced by the business community during and after the fire when COVID hit, […]

The impacts of bureaucracy on communities after disaster with Ron Janas

Ron Janus, a retired local police officer, has been with the Country Fire Authority for thirty-two years. He is currently a member of the Buffalo River Fire Brigade and a Councillor with the Alpine Shire Council. His major ongoing concerns are firstly that mandatory evacuations are often through unsafe areas. He wants to see local […]

Surviving Black Saturday through community and consequences with Quentin Addison

Quentin shares a graphic and engaging account of his experiences in the 2009 Bushfires in which like many others their home was destroyed, while he was on a fire truck elsewhere. His wife and three female backpackers survived because they followed their plan to the letter. Immediately after the fires, he was frustrated and angry […]