The Local Paper. 1969 Fires.

Page 20 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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130 Years of Local Press

1969 inferno threatened Yea

● An aerial photograph of the aftermath of the Killingworth fires in 1969 taken by The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd (News Corp Australia). dation. At 9.30am the siren sounded Snodgrass Street remained Prior to the Black for a fire which had broken out at inburned, one part of the fire came Saturday fires in 2009, ‘Larnoo’ and the strong wind sendright to the houses of Messrs. G. Yea was hit by a gruesome ing in thick clouds of smoke provided Drysdale, W. Peiper, Geo. Johnson, bushfire in 1969 an alarming pointer to the gruseome A.E. Bennetts and F. Coppo. day which was to follow. ● Written by T.M. Dignam A break before the first named’s The Yea fire unit sped to the scene, helped, and though a couple of sparks DEVASTATION also that of Homewood but early it lit grass on the other side - immedi‘Most Serious Local Fire Ever’ was seen that little could be done in ately pounced on - the threat of an Appalling Losses of Stock, the face of what was already an inextension to Gifford Street and into Property and Implements ferno. the rear of High Street buildings was YEATHREATENEDFROM The Flowerdale brigade was en averted.

BOTH SIDES ON route to the fire, but was diverted at But it came up at the rear of SUCCESSIVE DAYS Junction Hill where another fire had Craigie Street near L. Waters’ and ■ On Wednesday 8th January, 1969, broken out, and this latter was to pronearby houses. two fires which started near Yea vide the second act in a drama the ACROSS THE RIVER were to provide the greatest and selikes of which Yea has never seen, On the other side of the Yea River ● Tom Dignam rious conflagration ever seen here. and will probably never see again. the situation was appalling. Closer A gale force north wind was the rich Killingworth area was wiped The Ghin Ghin fire swept through to the town, the fire was sweeping demon - atmospherically, it was a out, at least a dozen homes were de- the properties there with amazing through Ray Hipwell’s, Kemp’s, alday without precedent here. stroyed, thousands of sheep and speed and already desperate saves most to McPhee’s, and on to It was thirty years to the day since stock, and material property beyond and fortunate escapes were the lot Chaviot, but further out Killingthe 1939 holocaust started, taking estimation. of the fighters. worth proper was totally ablaze. nearly 80 lives and wiping out half Heroic eforts prevneted the loss The township of Yea was threatKnox McLeish’s home - and oththe state, but locally that blaze was ened on successive days. Only one of the Anderson homes, Hiscock’s ● Stuart McCracken ers - stood after a tough battle. confined to the Glenburn-Lime- fatality was reported, that being in and S. McCracken’s, though a boat and the second along the Fire units being rushed to the area stone-Taggerty area. the Alexandra Shire, near Scrubby was being prepared to take people damage, Yea river, where it was to actually more than once arrived at a Prior to that there had been big Creek. from the last name home. precipitious moment, one such exbushfires - it is said the CommonWhen it crossed the Goulburn enter the streets of Yea. Pitted against the fire was the An hour after the fire started, it ample being at Mr and Mrs J. wealth fire of 1900 burnt from one greatest concentration of manpower, river the situation was really alarmend of the Shire to the other, and there modern equipment and organisation ing. Coming in along the west Kill- was burning at the slaighter yards of Mahon’s, where the arrival of the have been others, but Wednesday’s yet assembled here. The overall ingworth area it spread menacingly, K. Tobias (desperate saves had been Healesville brigade at 12.40pm became an official disaster. efort was a magnificent one, and all one head going towards Killing- made at the residences of K. Higgins meant the difference between savBriefly it could be said that the concerned deserve highest commen- worth, where it was to do appalling and Ron Drysdale) - the Martin ing or losing the house. house was to go laterr that day), and Sheds and farm machinery were within minutes the slaughter yards, lost.

This was the case practically other than the killing pen, had been everywhere. rendered useless. Twenty-five pigs perished. ● Turn To Page 22 A few hundred yards further on, the first family tragedy occurred when the home of Mr and Mrs Jack Buckland was burnt to the ground. A couple of others in the Providence area were just saved.

The fire burnt through a portion of ‘Beauminto’ but was stopped at the road below the racecourse - it did, however, get very close to Mr Frak Slevin’s house where a good save was effected.

At this point the pall of smoke that completely enveloped Yea was staggering. Many shops shut and everyone tried to do something to minimise the awful danger that threatened.

The fire knew no boundaries creeks, rivers, roads didn’t count, and it was soon threatening the areas on the west and northern boundaries of the township. ● ‘Killingworth’ was ruined by the 1969 Yea bushfires. Photo: John T. Collins.

Although quite an area behind ● Ken Tobias

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Page 22 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

130 Years of Local Press proportions. Equipment was pouring into Yea and apart from over 30 brigades, the Army sent over two units, three tankers and two ‘dozers plus other heavy equipment, in addition to that of the shire, C.R.B. and private owners all of which were to play a big part in the safety of the town.

There were about 50 Army personnel available at the Yea Headquarters and 50 had gone to Highlands. Captain Maurie Bennett was in charge.

Danger to Molesworth ● Arthur Bett ● From Page 22 It was not far away that tragedy was really striking, and several houses including the historic ‘Killingworth’ homestead, a part of which was 120 years old, were destroyed.

Farmers were making desperate efforts to muster sheep, and instances were reported of people helping elsewhere, losing their own stock or property.

Miss Gwen Williamson says she doesn’t know yet how her house was saved (and that applies to Turner’s), but the fire pursued a relentless course, crossing the highway just past C. McGregor’s and turning right round D.J. Sier’s home.

The immensity of the thing was no frightening. The southern arm of the fire was sweeping towards Limestone (denuded of manpower through helping elsewhere) and it seems amazing that there wasn’t greater tragedy there.

(A later theory is that this fire was a fresh outbreak, but even if this is correct it was certainly joined by the one from Yea.) The centre of the fire swept along the left side of the highway, getting close to Harold Sier’s, Cr A.J. Bett’s which was saved twice), but the second house on the property (formerly Thwaites) was burnt to the ground.

School teachers Harvey and Wendy Martin lost many valuable possessions. It is said another young couple soon to be married were to occupy this house.

The northern arm of the fire, burning on both sides of the river, pursued its horrific course and was to finally reach the hills behind Yarck and Kanumbra.

So swiftly had things happened that the fire had outraced the organisation, but this was not the fault of the latter.

Long before lunch an emergency post had been sety up at the Police Station and Red Cross and other ladies were preparing meals etc.

Knowing that it was a real emergency a message was sent to Melbourne to send the “package post”.

The Regional Officer of the Country FireAuthority (Mr H. McLaren) had arrived, and soon a complete emergency headquarters had been established at the Recreation Resserv.

Then Mr Ron Orchard, Assistant Chief Officer of the CFA, assumed control, assisted by relieving officers.

ONMANYFRONTS The old bugbear of having to fight on two fronts was beginning to rear its head, and counting the various directions in which the Killingworth fire was spreading, special eforts had to be made to deploy all available manpower, tankers, etc.

Midway through the afternoon, a call was received for more man to be sent to the Ti Tree Creek area, the Junction Hill fire - a diversion by no means - assuming rather dangerous

■ With the main fire racing over Cotton’s Pinch through McCormack’s, Jeffery’s and adjacent properties, the situation in the little town of Molesworth was rapidly deteriorating.

Several incidents at this time of the afternoon added to the “emergency and disaster” angle of the whole affair.

Telephone lines were rapidly put out of action, all electric power failed about 4.30pm and at Molesworth a grader hastily making a break fouled the water main and residents faced the fi9re without water.

Evacuation looked inevitable.

The inferno raced in along the road line threatening Saddington’s, Webb’s, and nearby houses, and was poised for one horrible moment on top of Nebo preparatory to sweeping down to demplish the historic Ridd hometead of ‘Lorna Doone’ and a shed further down, but missed Christ Church (Anglican).

At this point the town was officially evacuated, many of the women and children being taken to Bonnie Doon.

Without the Molesworth brigade battling valiantly, buildings in the township were saved, and although stooks of cut phalaris caught (Mr J. Joyce’s adjoining the highway), very little was burnt.

People on Whanregarwen Road were becoming apprehensive as large billows of smoke encompassed everything, but communication was practically non-existent.

The fire swept on, and a heavy loser was Mr D. Munro who had two houses on his property and other buildings burnt to the ground.

Others lost much in machinery, sheds and stock.

This part of the fire burnt so far that it eventually threatened Alexandra township and on the other sector around Cathkin and Yarck there was devastation also.

Nearer to Molesworth the home of Mr and Mrs Bill Jeffery was destroyed.

Limestone losses ■ The right arm of the fire con-

● Ray Hipwell

● Adrian Sier tinued unchecked and did tremedous damage to properties in the vicinity of the Tunnel and at the hamlet itself.

Up from Cheviot Station, a shearing shed belonging to Mr John Sier was burnt, and to see the ‘Henderside’ homestead provides an illustration of how close and yet how miraculously left standing were scores of similar homes throughout the district.

Burnt fruit trees, a once elevated tank (perhaps burst and perhaps providing a heaven sent sprinkling system) bore stark evidence of what was happening in parts of the scorched countryside unbeknown to the hundreds concerned with desperate situations everywhere.

The fire jumped the Limestone Road up from the railway crossing, burning into G. Tull’s, taking hay but stopping short of the house.

However, it encircled his brother’s (Colin) and the owner and a companion had a narrow escape when a garage exploded - the latter, plus the car, went up in flames.

Further on, it completely destroyed the Limestone Hall and Presbyterian Church, and ravaged properties nearby, where stock lossses were heavy.

Mr A. Sier lost many sheep.

Mr and Mrs H. McGill had a harrowing experience here, but their home escaped. However, further on, a house of Mr Don Franklin’s went, the owner losing everything.

Nothing could check the fire now and outbuildings at Jowett’s were lost and some miles further on the original Stanley home (where the Patterson family lived) went up in flames.

Headquarters organisation ■ The big pavilion at the Recreation Reserve, started in 1958, has generally been known as the multipurpose building, and it has never been put to better use than last week,. when the Country Fire Authority and Red Cross set up emergency headquarters.

Asst. Chief Officer R. Orchard and Regional Oficer H. McLaren had one end set up maintaining seven direct phone lines, maps and other equipment and on the main arena their communications van, with radio link to Headquarters and mobile units.

At the eastern end of the hall the Red Cross emergency staff had been supplemented by a big influx of local ladies and young girls (some of whom worked right through the two nights) despensing hundreds of meals to firefighters as they came and went,or rested.

About hal;f the hall had been turned into a First Aid Post, where stretchers were laid out for resting, and many of the minor injuries

attended to, feet bathed and eyes soothed. At the head of the staff were Red Cross officials from town.

Inspector Howlett came from Seymour to the Yea Police station and with Senior Constable Long and Police from Broadford, Seymour and mounted members from Melbourne worked untiringly day and night handling complex problems.

The Inspector wishes to thank the many local people who assisted the Police in many ways.

A St John Ambulance Brigade, also from Seymour, under Supt.

John Voogt, was soon on the scene and treated a number of casualties.

The more serious were looked after by Drs Hosking and Paterson, and a few had short spells in hospital.

Country Roads Board road patrols, P.M.G. and S.E.C. staff, the Forestry officers, Council, Water Trust and Railway employees all had their hads full and these, and a magnificent Postal and telephone staff, deserve great credit for their part in the drama.

The Regional Communications Officer, Cr John Peel, was himself in a hot area, as the fire from Junction Hill swept down towards Glenburn and spread rapidly.

The fire, as stated, started at ‘Foxhaven’, about 10am on the Wednesday, burnt to within 30 yards of the house and tore down the gullies toiwards J. Corrigan’s ‘Wildcroft’ and other properties.

The cruel north wind which had brought so much devastation to the Yea area was north-westerly out there - one resident said it could have been 70 miles per hour - and at least two spot fires were started, one near Devlin’s Bridge and another near Cavanagh’s Hill - all of which added to the immense problems that everyone faced on Wednesday evening.

About 7.40pm the sun set as a hideous red orb, the wind was changing to the north and with vast areas past the point of further help, apprehensive minds turned southwards, as it was obvious that the second fire could pose a threat to a vast area - it did, to the very gates of the town.

Apart from the Yea Brigades, units from the following centres had already taken part in the battle: Homewood, Seymour, Costerfield, Avenel, Glenaroua, Tooboorac, Flowerdale, Molesworth, Highlands, Glenburn, Cranbourne, Murrindindi, Moorooduc, Beaconsfield, Hastings, Pearcedale, Yarra Glen, Healesbille, Silvan, Mon-trose, Mooroolbark, Lilydale, Sassafras, Kalorama, Lima South, Meerlieu, Heathcote, Wangaratta North, Shepparton, Upper Fern-tree Gully, Springvale, Morwell and Dandenong.

Some of these later were Bedford 4x4 800-gallon units which, like the Army equipment, were to be of great value.

● Jack Mahon

● Colin Anderson

Crisis day for Yea

■ Although much patrolling and blacking out was done during Wednesday night, Thursday opened ominously.

The first fire had raced away to other Shires to do more terrible damage and instead of a north wind, Yea faced a strong southerly which blew in smoke from the fire at Ti Tree Creek, which had burnt right through to ‘Glenmore’.

As the morning dragged on, the situation became worse and more units were dispatched to this new front.

Yea was still without power - and could have been without water. Fortunately, the Water Trust’s auxillary pump was kept going non-stop, but this was petrol-operated and in the path of the oncoming blaze.

Locals on a “shift” roster, guarded the cooling system for 30 hours.

Residents had responded to a Water Trust appeal to conserve every ounce of water, and the storage in the reservoir built up if ... slowly.

However, those living in Smith, Moyle and nearby streets were warned to be ready to move, and preparations to mett all emergencies proceeded without undue hysteria.

However, speed was the essence of the contract so far as the southern approaches to the town were concerned and Shire graders and Army ‘dozers were thrown into the urgent task of preparing breaks around Constitution Hill.

This, in fact, was one of the most notable feats of the two days.

The fire burnt in fairly quickly to the east of ‘Deepdene’, through McLeish’s, Colin Anderson’s, Purcell Bros., and Quinlan’s.

Purcell’s woolshed was saved, as was a huge stack of hay near Quinlan’s. But inexorably nearer came the reckoning, as first ‘Sheoak’ and then Constitution Hill were over-run.

Poignantly, a funeral had to be held up when the flames reached the cemetery.

A grader and bulldozer were still working when the fire topped ‘Conny’ but the 30-ft. wide break stretching from there near Smith Street right across to ‘Bun’ McLure’s house was the saving act.

Fortunately, the east tongue of the fire stopped - or was stopped - at Cemetery Lane, and a big concentration of men and equipment ensured that it did not cross the break.

It was within 70 yards of Jim Elliott’s house (and a haystack), and other homes threatened were those of Messrs. H. White and J. Foster, any at the top of East Street, assuming those of Raglan and A’Beckett Streets, Melbourne Road and The Parade (Oliver Street at the other end ) were still not desperately threatened. ● Turn To Page 23

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The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 23

130 Years of Local Press

Fatalities across state totalled 17 ● ● From From Page Page22 23 ■ The west arm was very menacing and the flames actually reached the school pine plantation. A heroic save here literally tore the fire out.

From there right along Flat Lead was a dangerous sector, but a twohour concentrated battle finally won the day.

Two houses at Ken McLeish’s, a woolshed, the old slaughter yards and other buildings were saved, and the fires were stopped from crossing the road.

That triangle, from there back through Homewood, was still unscathed, but it could be noted that had the fire crossed Whittlesea Road, it could have burnt along the Boundary Creek area to ‘Beaumonto’ and so completed a linking up with the devastated area from the previous day.

The distance would be little more than half-a-mile. The same thing, of course, nearly happened at the east of the town, had the fire burnt from Quinlan’sw across the Yea River to Cheviot.

The great pincers movement just failed to close.

By Thursday night the fire was regarded as “held” and a reasonable day on Friday assisted the blacking out operation, though constant vigilance had to be maintained and units sent to several “get-aways”.

The destruction of burning stumps and trees continued, and of course, the harrowing duty of slaughtering and buyring thousands of sheep and other stock.

On Saturday a helicopter carrying C.F.A. and Forestry officials made a survey of the whole area, and the Group Officer, Mr W.A. Purcell, was similarly flown over on Sunday.

The emergency units pulled out on Sunday.

All the week, continuous patrolling of the barious sectors has gone on, to ensure that not a spark escapes.

Drama at Alexandra

■ For some reason, Yea monopolised the news last week, but a parallel drama was enacted at Alexandta on Wednesday.

In fact, in one respect, it was worse, as having no auxiliary pumping unit (Yea had), the town’s water supply dwindled to almost nothing when the power failed.

However, it was off for only a fraction of the time of Yea’s hold-up.

A fire broke out at Acheron Cutting at 9.55am and firemen were unable to check the blakze in the Connelly’s Creek area, and it spread quickly to practically encircle Alexandra.

At the height of the blaze in the afternoon, Alexandra was in danger, and flames moved from the south end of Grant Street towards the Hospital.

Evacuation was being considered, but a supreme effort saved the day. \ Between 3pm and 4pm the situation became really explosive, when the fierce fire from Yea joined the Acheron one near Connelly’s Creek.

As well as Whanregarwen laid bare, the flames spread out on the flats and past the hills south of Alexandra, raced along the Brooks Cutting road and hills and past the

● The 1969 bushfire, on a Total Fire Ban day, saw 230 fires, which burnt more than 324,000 hectares. Some 21 of these fires were highly destructive with the worst occurring on the urban fringe of Melbourne. A fire at Anakie near the GeelongBallan Road which had been extinguished the previous day flared up again and moved quickly towards Lara where it destroyed a 90 year old gothic church and 40 houses. The worst death toll occurred when a fast-moving grass fire approached the four-lane Melbourne-Geelong highway at Lara: 17 people died when they left their cars and, in the dense smoke, tried to outrun the fire. Six people who sheltered in their cars survived. The event was a catalyst in changing guidelines recommending people are safer staying in a car when fire is upon them. The fire burnt to the edge of suburban Melbourne affecting Altona, Diamond Valley and Kangaroo Ground. In total 23 people died, 100 were injured, and 230 homes and 21 buildings were destroyed. area had its own set-up at the local Eglinton Cutting to Spring Creek, hall, where incidentially a full scale Koriella and Yarck districts. South disaster exercsie had been carried of the town it spread past Thornton out in August. and on to parts of Rubicon and Glenburn ladies speak highly on Taggerty.

Homes of the following are the organising ability of Mrs Eric Like Yea, the stock losses were known to have been destroyed: Sundblom, who headed their branch appalling; there was one fatality and ■ Daryl Martin of the organisation. two young men seriously burned.

■ Jack Buckland ■ Mr Michael Coonan, jun., reIt is said that hundreds were ■ A.J. Bett (ex H. Martin) ceived nasty burns to the arm when treated in the field and at Alexandra ■ David Mold (2) the Homewood unit exploded followHospital.

■ Maurice McLeish ing the fouling of the petrol tank by a ■ Rob. Collins stump. He was treated by Dr ■ Bill Jeffery ● Group Capt. Bill Purcell Hosking.

■ Don Franklin ■ Several Fire Brigade oficers and Doug Morgan, 600 sheep; William- ■ At the height of the drama on ■ Ken Patterson others cut short holidays to return and son’s Killingworth, about the same; Thursday, the brakes of an Army ■ Clem Ridd join in the fight.

Maurie Spanjer, up to 800; J. Joyce, dozer failed and the big machine ■ Eric Jowett (on property) ■ Mr Kevin Patterson, after get- ditto; Clem Ridd, 700; A.Wright, 500 careered down Constitution Hill, ■ Jack Bett (Killingworth) ting his wife and her mother from out of 800; P. Quinlan, 550; R.S. cleaning up a resident’s wood shed.

■ Jeff Cooper (ex. Geo. the old Stanley home, made a stand Anderson Estate, 400 plus; R. The driver bailed out, but sustained Oliver (vacant) at Jowett’s.

Stokes and N. Murray, heavy losses. a sprained ankle.

■ David Kneeshaw (Mrs He and his son had seven chil- Both cattle and horses were lost at ■ According to the Country Fire Williamson’s, Molesworth) dren and four women to share the ‘Switzerland’ and elsewhere.

Authority, an area of 350 square Plus: danger.

Mr J. Sincalir, of Molesworth, is miles was burnt. This includes the ■ Two of D. Munro on Lawns were wet and finally the said to have lost 1400 sheep - and land burnt in Alexandra from the Yea Whanregarwen Rd party sheltered in the house.

Mr K. Webb Ware, Glenburn road, fire, but the following gruesome fig■ Hall and Presbyetrian The fire took trees, shrubs and 700 in a shed. ures apply to the Yea Shire only: Church at Limestone outbuildings, but passed by.

Sheep killed or subsequently de■ Yea was without electrical power Mr Jowetyt had been cut off try- for about 4.30pm on Wednesday un- stroyed totalled approximately The Minister for State Develing to save the shearer’s quarters, til after 10pm on Thursday, and again 21,000; cattle, 550; horses, 16; and opment (and in charge of bush but these were destroyed. pigs, 34. Apart from 13 houses defor four hours or so on Friday. fire relief), the Hon. W. Manson, ■ It is on record that the Red Cross ■ Because of burnt railway bridges stroyed, at least another five unocbriefed Yea and Alexandra coungot through 600 pints of milk at the in the Tunnel area, trains could not cupied homes were wiped out, also cillors on what relief measures ‘Rec’ H.Q. pass Yea. But the line has since been a church and a hall. were available.

■ Even young people figured in restored.

Other known losses included 11 At Yea the Shire President (Cr heroic saves. Geoff Drysadle, Peter ■ Mr Keith Higgins who was one garages on just on 100 sheds (includA.J. Bett0 and secretyary (Mr F. Gillahan and Kevin Scott did a mar- who battled fire on his own, said the ing haysheds, cowshedsw, those Berkery) worked non-stop covellous job at R.D. Drysdale’s and very ground was alight. housing implements, etc.); the Killordinating the appeal for fodder. the Shire President attributes the sav- ■ Approximately 18 Council ingworth slaughter yards; 55 other Mr Noel Moore was in the ing of his woolshed to his grand- bridges and culverts, some old, are stock yards; 115,000 bales of hay; thick of the work and on Sunday daughter Dorothy Bett. and up to 18 bridges or culverts. known to have been burnt. alone some 7000 bales were dis■ The one fatality from the fire oc- ■ Mobile radio communications Nobody has been able to assess tributed. curred ta Scrubby Creek up from was maintained throughout. One to the milage of fencing destroyed (esMr D. Guye and Mr H. Molesworth. Mr Charles Campbell, do a grand job was Deputy Group timates range from 350 to 800 miles), Baudinette were the checkers. aged about 90, was found dead at Oficer, Lou Sichlau. or the material value of the countAn appeal for cash donations his home.

■ A lot of the emergency equipment less tractors, other implements, has been well supported.

■ The following figures are not of- used at the Rec. was official Civil household effects and miscellaneous ficial, but have been given to us as Dedfence gear that had been on hand. items demolished. ● Words originally published approximate losses by some land- ■ In addition to the emergency It would run into hundreds of thou- by Tom Dignam on January 12 holders: and 19, 1969 (47 years ago) headquarters at Yea, the Glenburn sands of dollars.

Houses destroyed

Fire Facts