Margueritte and Eddie Flower had only lived in Willawarrin for a year when the devastating bushfires of 2019 struck their property.
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The resilient couple recently met with locals, RFS captains and council staff at the Willawarrin RFS Shed on Saturday August 29 to formulate their Bushfire Survival Plans ahead of this year's fire season. The event was the third in a series of eight Get Ready programs to be held over the next two months in Willawarrin and Bellbrook.
"When the fires hit, we were quite confused because we'd come from suburban Melbourne and weren't familiar with all the roads out here," Margueritte said.
"I happened to be in South West Rocks on the day the fires got really bad, but Eddie stayed behind because he had a bad feeling."
Eddie remained at the property until 4pm that day before heading to South West Rocks with the couple's animals. When he tried to return home later that day, the roads were closed.
"As far as we heard on social media, our house was burnt to the ground," Eddie recalled.
"We were sitting there saying, 'Glad we moved up here - everything's gone!'"
Fortunately, the Flowers returned to Willawarrin to find their home still intact. They are now immersed in preparing for the upcoming fire season.
"We've cleared a lot of trees around the house, bought in new hoses and I've joined the RFS as a volunteer," Eddie said.
"We're here discussing how to plan, asking for advice and basically doing everything we can to get ready."
"If anything, the way that everybody pulled together through the fires just made me fall in love with this community," Margueritte added.
"We haven't once regretted moving here."
The couple were joined by friends and neighbours at the relaxed event, where residents had a chance to share their stories and connect with each other over tea and lamingtons.
Willawarrin rural fire brigade captain Paul Younie said that one of his biggest concerns was the worry felt by the community in the wake of last year's shocking bushfires.
"We don't need fires as bad as last year to increase the levels of anxiety in the community," Paul said.
"We had strong winds and a bit of smoke at Bellbrook last week and were inundated with calls. Those conditions often set off people's anxiety."
According to Paul, having a comprehensive fire plan in place is one of the best ways for residents to minimise anxiety.
"Recovery from the fires is ongoing," he explained. "It could extend from two to five years or even more. We need to be especially mindful of people's mental health coming into this bushfire season."
Representatives from St Vincent de Paul and the Red Cross also attended the Willawarrin event, advising residents on how to access grants and assistance to take care of themselves and reconnect with neighbours after the isolation imposed by the COVID-19 lock down.
St Vincent de Paul Community Development Bushfire Recovery worker Sarah Mason expressed concern over the number of Macleay residents who have not accessed any assistance or who are only just beginning to access the help and funds available to them.
"There are a few reasons why people don't ask for help," Sarah said. "A lot of people feel as though others are worse off than them, while many more don't know what is available.
"Another factor is that these are exceptionally resilient communities where a lot of people just go ahead and get things done themselves. There are people fixing fences out of their own pockets. My job is to reach out to these residents and encourage them to accept the help that is being offered."
Additional planning events will be held in Willawarrin on October 21 and 24 and in Bellbrook on October 3 and 6.
All residents of Willawarrin and Bellbrook are encouraged to come along and chat with RFS captains, ask questions, connect with neighbours and get a fire plan in place.
