In the silence, rubble speaks volumes

By Melissa Meehan
AN EERIE silence hangs over where Narbethong once stood.
Driving through the town along the Maroondah Highway brings tears to the eyes of many.
The sign at the entrance of the town is scorched giving the first indication of the destruction caused by what residents describe as a “fireball”.
Houses turned into rubble and the shells of burnt-out cars line the highway while smoke from still-smouldering shrubs and trees fills the air.
It’s like a ghost town, or something from a war movie from the 1940s.
In the centre of town stands the shell of the petrol station, surrounded by for sale signs. On the other side of the road the CFA fire station remains untouched.
Few people have been allowed back into the town and those who have are keen to have a chat.
“We worked throughout the night and we’re stuffed,” Resident Matt said. “But we saved our house and we’re alive.”
John Lally and Debbie Webber decided to stay and fight the fires to protect their home.
“We didn’t think it would be as bad as this,” Debbie said.
“There was a bit of smoke early Saturday afternoon. But it just came so quickly.”
“We were told it would be coming from the north,” John said. “But it came from south, east and west, too.”
Debbie said that her family fought the blaze for as long as they could, but soon realised they had to get out.
“When we heard the roar of the fire we knew we had to leave, so we got the kids and the dogs into the car and headed over to the paddocks over the road (at St Fillian Homestead and Farm),” she said.
“There were about eight families there; it was as safe as houses.”
Both John and Debbie said they had never felt as frightened as when they heard the roar of the fire.
“Luckily the fire didn’t take our house,” John said. “We are one of the lucky ones.
“Narbethong is our home and will continue to be.”
Right now John, Debbie and their two daughters plan to survive on food they have in the house but are worried about friends in worst-affected areas.