Firestorm tributes

By Tania Martin
A LOCAL councillor has praised firefighters for saving the Dandenongs from disaster on Black Saturday.
Shire of Yarra Ranges Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said the CFA did an extraordinary job.
Councillors paid tribute at their meeting on Tuesday 10 February to the thousands of emergency services workers who had dropped everything to fight the fire storm.
And on Sunday night firefighters prevented another tragedy when they put out a blaze which broke out in the Dandenong Ranges National Park near the the junction of Terrys Avenue and Sandells Road, Tecoma.
Cr Dunn said the hills were luckily saved after firefighters prevented a blaze in Upper Ferntree Gully from entering the Dandenong Ranges National Park on Saturday 7 February.
“They averted what could have been a massive tragedy for the area,” she said.
But other parts of the shire weren’t so lucky.
As the death toll from Black Saturday approaches 200, the area was continuing to count the cost on the communities of Marysville, Kinglake, Toolangi, Yarra Glen, Steels Creek and Chum Creek.
Mayor Len Cox said he would never forget the pain on the faces of those who lost their homes and families.
“For many, houses are the only assets we collect and to be gone in a blink of an eye is devastating,” he said.
Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae, whose ward covers Chum Creek, Steels Creek and Yarra Glen, fighting back tears, told the meeting about the effect the fire had on the region.
But she said everyone had pulled together in an amazing display of spirit.
Cr McRae said one volunteer firefighter had lost her home but was still out there helping to save others from ruin.
“We are resilient, we will rebuild,” Cr McRae said.
Chandler Ward councillor Graham Warren said the images of the devastation in Marysville and Kinglake would remain with many for the rest of their lives.
He said life was precious and for many it was over. “We can rebuild houses again but once life is lost its gone forever,” Cr Warren said.
“It’s just so tragic. I hope we never see anything like this again.”
Nearby, in the City of Knox, councillors said a special prayer for survivors and those who perished.
Mayor David Cooper said it was a tragedy that had struck the hearts of all Australians.
“We will grieve with these communities and we will help them to rally and rebuild,” he said.
Cr Cooper said all emergency services should be recognised for putting themselves in the line of fire. “These people are our heroes,” he said.
The council had also donated $30,000 to the bushfire appeal and has pledged the gate takings from its upcoming Knox Festival.
“We all have a responsibility to be generous in our support for fire victims,” Cr Cooper said.