Spines of steel

By Kath Gannaway
THE Steels Creek community came together on Saturday morning with mixed emotions.
Their hub of community life, the Steels Creek Community Centre was defiantly still standing, and there were stories of many remarkable escapes.
But they had lost loved and valued friends, and many had lost their homes and possessions.
“I’m so glad to see you” took on a whole new meaning, and hugs were dished out as freely as the scones and cream – real comfort food!
Community Centre president Keith Montell said the decision to gather just a week after the fires was about getting back to normal activities and reconnecting with each other.
Anyway, the weekly Saturday market had been well advertised in the Jolly Thing, the local newsletter, so it was almost mandatory to do something.
“Some of you have lost houses and will be deciding whether to stay or go,” he said. “Don’t do anything yet.”
He said the community had been overwhelmed with support from the neighbouring Yarra Glen community. “Come back. Rebuild. We will help you,” he said.
Malcolm Calder, local resident and community leader paid tribute to friends who didn’t survive.
“Steels Creek has had an experience, you might say. We have lost a lot, but certainly we have not lost the spirit of Steels Creek.”
He paid tribute to Gail and Greg Leonard who he said were involved in many parts of the community. “They were very much involved in the re-establishment of the interior of the Community Centre a year ago,” he said. “We are really going to miss Greg and Gail who were our very good friends.”
Jenny and John Barnett he said were also very much part of the community.
“Jenny used to take orchid walks through the bush every spring. They were keen members of our community who survived the 1994 fires and we will really miss them.
“Leigh and Charmian Ahern were not overt members of our community but very supportive and Leigh was a very big supporter of the Yarra Glen Historical Society. We say a very fond farewell to them,” he said.
Lyn James, he said, also perished. Lyn is no longer here to share the wonders of Steels Creek.
“As we are reconnecting, it is important that we can think of these people as our friends, as they were, while we are here.”
The gathering was also a rallying point for people needing information and resources.
Practical advice was given and shared – how to deal with the residue of treated pine posts, pots are needed for the garden club, Clean Up Australia Day on 1 March has been cancelled, but there is a working bee at the centre on 14 March, tennis is back on, as is the film club and the stitchers’ group.
Deputy mayor Jeanette McRae said Telstra was negotiating cut-offs for people who may have run up huge bills during the fire, and giving out mobile phones for those who didn’t have them. Free internet access was also available.
Masks and other protective clothing was available for those who may have to deal with asbestos in the ruins of their homes and farm buildings.
Finishing on a high note, Ed Bartosh auctioned a donated shrivelled stick of hydrangea and a plate of “baked” potatoes, raising, at the expense of new O’Shannassy Ward councillor Chris Templar, over $100 for the relief fund.
Community spirit is alive and well in Steels Creek.