On Sunday, February 12 we woke to a day that is now known as being the most catastrophic conditions on record. With the Sir Ivan fire already devastating an enormous area of land, we were looking at the smoke, taking photos from our front yard feeling so very sorry for those affected. Little did we know that by 6pm that afternoon we would be experiencing first hand the same conditions.
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At approximately 1.30pm, a fire broke out at Kains Flat and unbeknownst to us at the time, our property “Maree” on the Barrigan Rd at Wollar was in its direct path. Our families moved quickly and within the 40 minutes, our son Ben and Angus Schneider were immediately able to assist Terry and by 3pm had already moved some of our 500 plus head of cattle away from the hills… just in case. A great friend in Brian McDermott also arrived and in a combined effort managed to move the stock to a paddock that was partially ploughed and as a result saved all those cattle. At the same time our daughter Rebecca and her husband David Corbett were at the creek installing a second firefighting pump to ensure a constant flow of water.
By 6pm, the fire had completely stripped 90 per cent of our property. Thankfully our house is on the other side of the creek and that we saved our livestock, but the devastation is still very raw. To drive over the paddocks now, you still smell the burnt scorched land and an odd log lying in a bare paddock still smoldering. Hardly a fence stands with strainer posts and stays just not there anymore, the cattle racing to the truck looking for hay. All this brings us to the purpose of writing this.
There are a number of people who have helped out from that horrible day: Belinda Dowler and Sharon Barlow cooking and delivering food for us, Ben and Yasmin for halting their own work and organising a working bee. David and Bec for putting their business on hold to be here. Grundfos and Orange Pumps, both these companies have donated a firefighting pump and Dexta McKechnie of Macdrill for the loan of a large trailer to make the feeding process more efficient. Old friends Peter and Matt McPherson, Tony Dunn and Tony Dowler for volunteering to help with fences, a lot was achieved along with a few laughs to help lighten the mood.
The donations of hay from locals throughout this community has been so greatly appreciated and we cannot thank you enough. Your generosity has been very comforting in a very trying time. Without it we would not have been able to keep our stock at home this long. Currently we are feeding out anywhere between 8-12 bales of hay daily. Initially the NSW Dept of Primary Industries was quick to act and sent out hay which was delivered by Pat Pilley.
We would like to personally thank the following businesses and families for their kind donations: “Wingara” Bylong and carted by Ted Winsper Transport which was arranged by Phil Davis of Elders, Sunset Strip Drop off Station Coolah delivered by Lewis Statham, David Clark delivered a load donated by himself and Peter McPherson from Rylstone, “Thirsty Cow” organised by Alina Parche from Qld - 3 Semi Trailers loads led by driver Greg Douglas, Bill Gaffney, Jeremy and Petrina Cox, Bob and Sue Wilson and Oatley’s, all carted by David and Bec, Andrew Rutter for delivering a trailer of Lucerne hay donated by Keiana Lodge Alpacas, Gooree Park Pastoral delivered by Glen Gricks, Robert Oatley Vineyards, Ian Howell, Malcolm Swords and Ron Stewart delivered by Shane Rogers and organised by Barry Rohr, Catherine Cox of “Burrunah” delivered by Ted Winsper Transport, Blazeaid for helping out with some fencing materials. We are aware of a couple more loads to come, from Stanford’s at Botobolar, Geoff Menchin and a generous family down south.
Two people who need special mention and thank from the bottom of our hearts, Brian McDermott and Arthur Stock. Brian has been here everyday helping out. Arthur the same, he lives away but he dropped everything and spent days at a time here. It is with the help of you guys that the place is coming together again.
We have tried very hard to keep lists of all donations and it is possible we have missed a name but we want to make sure you know how appreciative we are.
Thank you all so much.