Wayne Hawthorne, Naracoorte Community News
Rodger Todd’s family farms, 13km apart, were both burnt out in the “Poolaijelo fire” of New Year Eve. In speaking to Probus, Rodger started with the saying that “there is no such thing as luck, good or bad, it is all made by you” Not true he said, it can be caused by “someone else.”
The fire started in SA, 200m from the Vic border. Wind changed from north to SE, and Rodger’s house was 2.5km away in line. When the fire hit border lane, it exploded in 3.3m high Phalaris. It went around a 100acre swamp on ‘Mageppa’, slowing on the western side without stopping.
Saved was Rodger and Marjorie’s house because of their NS driveway, tennis court and 3acre garden with English trees that are less flammable than natives. Son Malcolm lost 1100 sheep, but 400 managed to escape into ‘Mageppa’. Twelve wooden power poles were lost down Caranta lane, but PowerCorp had new concrete posts and wires up within 48hrs to restore power, a credit to them.
Thirty men and 10 vehicles were involved with staff from wide afield.
Further east, ‘Nataparra’ lost all 1500 acres. A thousand ewes were lost, but insurance didn’t cover all. Insurance costs rise slowly each year, but stock prices have skyrocketed more recently. Three soldier settlement blocks were burnt, but no houses.
At the Casterton to Apsley road, the fire widened to 3km, the width of son David’s property. All stock and fences were lost, but thankfully the woolshed was saved, a blessing. The fire widened and entered ex blue gum country.
Nearly 3,000 acres of recently renovated pasture and fences were lost, along with 5.500 sheep and hundreds of cattle. The property had just been acquired.
Post fire, concern was to get stock by the end of the year. Lambing ewes were hard to get. PPH&S at Penola were marvelous and worked extremely hard to procure 850 at prices of $260-300. Rodger was extremely impressed by the insurers, particularly when rewarded for being long term clients with minimal claims. Small things matter, especially collectively. An example was given. A $2000 immediate cash handout was gratefully received for immediate costs.
In question time, assistance from the public was addressed. Food was supplied, particularly from the Apsley Edenhope Football Club, netball ladies and Tanya Ham. Pros and cons of Blaze Aid were discussed. There were two B double hay drops, and the boys didn’t know who to thank. The Madderns gifted grain. Further hay had to be bought at $30-40 a bale. The bank had been good also.
Psychologically they are travelling well and planning for future given they now have stock.
Help was amazing, including from people they did not know, including the Drag Racers Association.
Thousands rang offering help, which was too much to organize. Give it a month or so was asked. A more recent example of generosity with hay was mentioned.
It was pleasing to Probus members to hear that after the grim details of a disastrous fire and issues involved, some real positives arose from people’s involvement.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News
