The northern section of the Gurdies was burnt but firefighters managedto stop the fire from crossing the creek.
BY Catherine Watson
MANY of us have mourned since fire swept through the Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve on December 19-20, threatening properties in the Gurdies and further afield.
Around 192 hectares was burnt in total, including around 125ha in the northern section of the Gurdies reserve and a small area of the nearby Hurdy Gurdy Nature Conservation Reserve.
Save Western Port Woodlands invites the community to come together at the Dunbabbin Road Picnic Area in the Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve at 10am on Saturday 11th January for Fire & Rain, a ritual of loss and renewal.
MANY of us have mourned since fire swept through the Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve on December 19-20, threatening properties in the Gurdies and further afield.
Around 192 hectares was burnt in total, including around 125ha in the northern section of the Gurdies reserve and a small area of the nearby Hurdy Gurdy Nature Conservation Reserve.
Save Western Port Woodlands invites the community to come together at the Dunbabbin Road Picnic Area in the Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve at 10am on Saturday 11th January for Fire & Rain, a ritual of loss and renewal.
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Re-entering the reserve after the fires will be confronting. This is a chance to express our feelings, to find comfort in being together in this special place and to look toward new life in The Gurdies.
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Fire & Rain, a ritual of loss and renewal 10am, Saturday, January 11 The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve Dunbabbin Road Picnic Area https://maps.app.goo.gl/NsW54KEXgUgvzJkG6 |
Despite the losses, there is much to be thankful for: the volunteer CFA firefighters who saved homes, sheds and livestock; the Forest Fire Management firefighters who stopped the fire from spreading into the southern section of the Gurdies reserve; the fact that no human lives or homes were lost; the green shoots that are already emerging in the burnt areas of the reserve.
This part of the reserve was not affected by the fire. A short walk will take you to an area where you can see the impact on the northern side of the reserve without entering the burnt section.
There is limited parking in the picnic area. We ask more mobile people to park along Dunbabbin Road as indicated on the day.
There is limited seating so bring your own chair if you need one and please bring a small container of water for the water ceremony.
Catherine Watson is a member of Save Western Port Woodlands.
This part of the reserve was not affected by the fire. A short walk will take you to an area where you can see the impact on the northern side of the reserve without entering the burnt section.
There is limited parking in the picnic area. We ask more mobile people to park along Dunbabbin Road as indicated on the day.
There is limited seating so bring your own chair if you need one and please bring a small container of water for the water ceremony.
Catherine Watson is a member of Save Western Port Woodlands.