West Wimmera Action Group treasurer Marty Colbert said members were proud of what the community had achieved in stopping the Grass Flat fire, primarily with private units and equipment.

He said a booklet produced by WWAG – which is available by request via email wwag2025@gmail.com – collated data taken from 37 survey respondents. 

“There was in excess of $9-million worth of damage, just from 37 responses – we’re talking big numbers here,” he said.

“Volunteers contributed between $296,000 and $486,000 worth of time and equipment, effectively saving the government a sum. 

“Fifty-seven per cent of their respondents attended the fire with their own equipment.”

Mr Colbert said the Little Desert fire showed identical patterns – volunteers saving the government more than $1-billion. 

“That begs the question: why is it then left to volunteer charity organisations such as West Wimmera Action Group, to research and supply these detailed on-ground impacts?” he said.

“To answer that question, this is exactly why WWAG exists. 

“After the Little Desert fire, a community survey led to our fire focus groups, secured full ongoing meetings with DEECA and FFMVic, providing local input in the better decision making around fire management and barriers. 

“We endured two catastrophic fires within 12 months, we do not wish to wait for the third – we want action now.” 

Mr Sudholz listed recommendations to the hearing, including enhanced and flexible CFA volunteer training with a focus on large fire behaviour and communications.

“There should also be mandatory resilience standards for critical infrastructure, including power, water, and communications,” he said.

“And thirdly, full recognition and integration of private firefighting capability, including support mechanisms. 

“This fire demonstrated that on catastrophic days, outcomes depend heavily on local knowledge, community action, and rapid decision making. 

“The system provides an essential framework, but must better align with real worldwide behaviour and community response.”

Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club head coach Lynette Morrow said the 65-year-old club had suffered a physical loss worth about $1-million, and was non-operational as it waited for insurance to be finalised.

“In the meantime, we’re trying to keep our members engaged through training elsewhere – some juniors are training at a local school, and then travelling to Stawell, Warrnambool, Mount Gambier and Ballarat, depending on where we can fit in,” she said.

“We have more than 300 members and quite a large waiting list as well, but we’re currently only able to service about 80 gymnasts. 

“I’m certainly grateful to the firefighters who did save the building, it would be a very different story if we didn’t have a building to repair.”

While Natimuk’s aged-care home was essentially undamaged, Mr Schultz said the home’s fire plan, which was geared towards internal fires, would be updated.

“Obviously since this event, we’ve been working on upgrading and adding in information about external fire,” he said.

“However, I do believe the fire plan did work well in that it allowed staff to follow that plan in moving residents away from any danger, which, on this occasion, was more smoke than fire.

“Some simple things like printed instructions on how to override the front doors opening when there’s smoke in the building is now in our fire panel.

“I think, in some ways, not having time to worry about it was a blessing. We have a wonderful team that works well together, they just did all the things that were needed, and they were focused on keeping the residents calm and safe.”

Horsham Rural City Council recovery co-ordinator Rhonda McNeil said the community had ‘wrapped their arms incredibly’ around those affected by the fire.

“Like many communities after a fire, or after a flood or after a major traumatic event, they go into a hierarchy of loss, and they determine who needs the most support,” she said.

“We have had 400 cases of people who had an impact on the day, but there is more than that – that’s one person reporting on behalf of partners, and all the extended family.”

Ms McNeil said while there were supports available, some funding was unattainable.

“Some eligibility criteria means that many of our people are ineligible for most of their funding,” she said.

“There are a lot of grants out there and it looks like there’s lots of funding to support, but very few of our people are actually eligible: you do have to apply, and prove who you are. 

“Most people, if they’ve lost their homes, they’ve actually lost all of their documents, and when they eventually get their paperwork, the program has shut. 

Mr Klowss said the realisation was hitting home for people affected by the fires.

“I think we’re starting to see more of the mental impacts coming through now than what we were – some people are hiding it, some people aren’t,” he said.

“It’s actually of all the work that has to happen in recovery. 

“Just on our own farm, we’ve done close to 500 hours cleaning up fences. We’ve pulled up over 200 kilometres of fence. 

So, that’s the type of thing people are doing – people are over it now and they want to move on.”

Mr Martin said some people had relocated.

“Some people have moved into Horsham, because they just don’t want to go through an experience like that again,” he said. 

The entire April 29, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire April 29, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!