14 FEBRUARY 2009 (IN USA)
On 15 February (in OZ), Dan Joyce writes: I had the opportunity to go up to Sue and Bill's place on Saturday to help out with some of the chores around the property. I am happy to report, considering the circumstances, spirits were high and all were well. The combination of the nearby fire front settling down, weather remaining cooperative and the collective effort with the work at hand, made it a cathartic day on at Wombat Bend. The property is only 40 minutes drive from the city centre, and it was the first day since last Saturday there were no roadblocks up to Dixons Creek. I was quite surprised at the amount of activity in the area and traffic was heavy in the valley. The city had been smoke-affected the past 24 hours and indeed the whole valley was covered in heavy smoke as the calm weather kept in smoke from fires 20km away in the valley. Burnt-out paddocks were all around the area, right up to the edge of Yarra Glen township. I must admit I have not been up to Wombat Bend in a number of years (the last visit was in winter), so my initial reaction was over the effect the drought has had over the past two years. From inside the property, the empty billabong is a very arresting site. But on the other hand, with the blackened paddocks all around and the burnt out wombat gully running along two sides of the property, Wombat Bend was like an oasis in the middle of all the damage. Sue & Bill and the ADTs are all well. Physically fatigued; emotionally strong. It was great to see and speak with them face to face, and I was reassured in their presence. I also got to meet baby Emma, the newest addition to the family! They were lucky. From what I understand, the valley fires started from the fire over the range in St. Andrews/Kinglake, and spread right across and up the valley. It basically went around all sides of Wombat Bend. Farming paddocks with little fuel did not provide the worst threat on two sides. But when the fire hit the wombat gully along the other two sides of the property, in Sue's words, "it exploded" and raced right thru all the bush and vegetation along the gully. Luckily the wind was blowing in the 'right' direction - away from the property and not back into it. That was their saving grace. The work at hand on Saturday was all about fire prevention measures. There were others on hand and there was lots of tree-clearing and leaf-litter-clearing being done. It is not so much a knee-jerk reaction to the fire past, but instead a commitment to a new fire plan for the current climatic conditions to protect the property further. Bill is putting in a permanent fire break along the roadside; a bore that was granted license awhile back will finally be put in (i.e., dam is bloody empty!), and a big clean up of all the dead vegetation from years of drought and last weekend's heat & fire damage. Sue was also packing up valuables in the house and moving them out of danger for the summer. A common practise for many rural Aussie properties. I understand the dogs will also be moved off the property today, for a short spell in the city. Fencing is not secure enough at the moment to leave them unattended. But having said that, they were out during the day, and being OH SO good and staying close by. I should also add, while I was there, Sue had a visit from the wildlife rescue people who were involved with Little Forrest the Wombat's rescue. Wombat Bend is being set up as a emergency depot for injured wildlife, where people can drop off animals, or get feed for them. So considering all the devastation around the valley and this state, Sue & Bill are very lucky. And being the resilient, hard-working and smart people they are, they are not relying on luck if there is a next time. While I was there, there was smoke within eyesight, and there was a very quick meeting of neighbours and communication to fire authorities. All was reported safe, but is was still burning when I left two hours later. Since leaving the property, I have noticed another grass fire has been reported in Dixons Creek today. It is going to be a long summer. . . . After spending many a social occasions out at Sue & Bill's, either through the ADT Club of Victoria, with international visitors, or on private visits, it was rewarding to give something back to Wombat Bend. After cringing over the devastation of the bushfires from the safety of the city for the past week, it was also therapeutic to contribute to helping fight the fight. All Photos courtesy Dan Joyce, OZ Morning sun thru the smoke haze Neighbouring paddock burnt out Leaf litter from drought and heat of fire Neighbouring paddock on the other side Fire outbreaks a week later Drought-affected billabong Wombat hole - all wombats accounted for Wombat gully burnt out completely
Neighbouring property the fire approached from	Large tree that caused direct threat to home
Damaged fences	Wombat gully
Damaged fences Home paddock saved Stump burned for days Billabong separated home from firefront Fire burned around the home paddock along the wombat gully Wombat gully
Damaged fences	This was the beautiful grafted flowering gum we planted over Bigg Rigg's grave in 2006, at the far end of the billabong. We will be planting a new one soon.
Distance from fire front and house How many fires has the 200+-year-old swamp gum survived tree?
Drought-affected and now fire-affected	Fire damage
Drought-affected billabong Spot fire still burning hours later

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