As I write this on a mild autumn day in the Grampians I, along with all our members, am still grieving for those in the rest of the state who have suffered so terribly from the recent bushfires. We are thankful that we have so far been spared from any major fires here, though the Horsham fire was not that far away. Those who were here during our 2006 fires have had painful memories revived. Many of us know folk who lost their homes, folk who died. Three at least had a close connection with our area. Lynn Stone who has brought her exquisite silk flowers to the Wildflower Show the last two years was one who lost her home in Marysville. Jenny Barnett who worked so hard for the Victorian National Parks Association died with her husband John in their Steele Creek home. Jenny worked closely with the Hamilton Field Naturalists and with the Mammal Survey Team, and she and her husband were very dear friends with several of our members. We mourn with them, and with all of you who have lost friends.
A Royal Commission into the fires has been announced. My hope is that it will proceed in a calm and thoughtful manner, giving respect and dignity to all submissions, listening to the science, and that the recommendations that come out of it will be wise and practical. Clearly we still have a lot to learn about living in this drying continent.
As the reconstruction phase begins, we will keep an eye out for what we as a group might be able to do to assist. We know from our experiences here, just how much work it takes to replace Park infrastructure. Remember the working bee replacing the steps at Chatauqua Peak, where people from other Friends Groups came to help us?
Although there have been only small spot fires in our Park, the fires have had quite an impact on us. Many of our staff have worked long hours in dangerous conditions; residents have had several days of high alert; all of us troubled by all the news. Several of our activities have had to be cancelled for weather or low numbers available. It has been hard to concentrate on more mundane issues.
TRIBUTE TO DSE and PARKS VIC STAFF
Over the past six weeks, DSE and Parks staff have worked incredibly hard. Those on the front line, fighting the fires in dangerous conditions, usually out of reach of the press cameras. Those in the control rooms, co-ordinating the teams, keeping calm under pressure. Those left behind to manage their own parks with severely reduced staff. The families left behind. Thank you and congratulations on a job well done.