Grace Walker defended her home with a garden chair, garden hose and the help of her husband Tom, neighbour and three young strangers. By Monique Ebrington
THREE young strangers helped Tom and Grace Walker save their Chum Creek home from the Black Saturday fires.
The Walkers, both in their eighties, were defending their property with garden hoses as neighbour Graham Smith put out spot fires.
Mr Walker said his wife fended off most of the fire in the comfort of a garden chair, as she had a sore back.
They were defending their property when three young men appeared at the house, prepared to help with shovels and a rake.
Mrs Walker said when she first saw them she thought they were the CFA but the plain clothed men had apparently heard about the fires while at a Lilydale pub, and came up to help.
“Three little faces appeared at the window. They grabbed hoses and buckets and started putting out spot fires,” Mrs Walker said.
Mr Walker said it never occurred to them to think the men were anything other than who they said they were.
“They looked like normal boys, probably 18 or 19-years-old. They said, ‘We’ve come to help,”’ Mr Walker said.
The Walker’s said they think they could have saved their home even if the men hadn’t arrived but were grateful for helping at their own risk, with one of the men nearly being hit by a falling tree.
“I think we could have still saved the house, but the lads were doing things that Tom and I couldn’t have done,” Mrs Walker said.
“When they left they gave me a big hug. We were very sorry we didn’t get their names, they were marvellous morale boosters.”
Mr Walker said they were also appreciative of neighbour Graham Smith who was going back and forth between their property and his to put out spot fires.
“Graham is just a really good neighbour,” Mr Walker said.
Mr Smith said he felt compelled to help his neighbours who were in trouble alone.
“They would have given it a good shot but they would have been in trouble,” Mr Smith said.
“I looked up and I saw how close off their doorstep the fire was and I had to go help old Tom and Grace. They’re my next-door neighbours and I worry about them.”
