Why ignite change? My story

All that remains

This is my home. Not simply the place I grew up in, or lived in for however many years. This was where I was most comfortable, where I could always be myself, and where I could always be free. Away from the pressures of life and a sanctuary of everything that made me who I am today. SeaView was so much more than just a house to all my family – it was our home.  And now it’s gone.

Like all bushfire victims who have lost everything, that day will forever be etched into my memory. It was a 40+ degree day on the south coast of Australia, about 8 kms out of Merimbula. Winds were gusting above 80km/h and in combination with the extreme heat, conditions were terrible. All it would take was a spark and the bush was up in flames. Powerlines running adjacent to our property arced and ignited the bushland below. Had the shrubbery and undergrowth been regularly trimmed, as it is required to by the electrical company, the resulting devastation may never have occurred. Within minutes the fire was out of control and accelerating east – away from SeaView, but as the winds changed in the afternoon, it was headed directly towards our home. The fire was burning so hot and so           intensely that the RFS couldn’t get near the property and could only move ahead of the flames. They moved onto other homes in the fire’s path and managed to save all homes from seemingly imminent destruction.

SeaView

SeaView burned throughout the night, glowing bright red in the smoldering bush.

We were allowed on the property the following afternoon, somewhat dismayed as various news media were allowed to film and report on our destroyed home more than four hours before. As we crested the hill down towards SeaView, it was immediately apparent that our home and surrounding property had endured the worst of the fire. The once dense bushland, was now a baron wasteland of ash. The remaining trees’ leaves were permanently fixed pointing in the direction the wind was blowing the day before, as the intensity of the fire had sucked all the moisture from them – it was a surreal sight.

The day after

And there stood our once proud home. A twisted pile of iron and mud-brick. What little remained was of little importance; spoons, pots and pans, bits and pieces. We searched for our Mum’s jewellery and prized possessions, particularly her engagement ring – sadly, none were found. Mum was the only one living at the house at the time, and as such lost most of her belongings. Irreplaceable items from her worldly travels and life, family heirlooms and gifts from us children and others alike. Luckily, a week before the fire Mum took all our family photo albums to our grandparents home in town, a fateful decision that we are all so grateful for.

Nothing remained except for four original keys to the home – one for each of us children.

Losing our home was like losing a family member. It was such an integral part in shaping us into the people we are today. They say time heals all wounds, and maybe that’s true – but there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think about the part of me I lost that day.

Always in our memories