EARLIER this week I attended one of the most important and informative public meetings I’ve ever witnessed, namely a local community fire meeting.
The CFA volunteer who spoke to the 110 or so Maiden Gully residents was simply sensational - no fuss, no fanfare, no bulldust, just an honest presentation on the real and present dangers we face.
For almost two hours he spoke about what to do to prepare, how to act and how to survive the fire season.
It instilled in me a new level of understanding about the challenges that lie ahead of us all, and greater respect for the work that the CFA, DSE and City of Greater Bendigo have already done.
He left us in no doubt about the risk faced by those who choose to defend their property in the event of a fire, and reminded us all that we must have a plan - or a couple of plans - as to what we do as families in the event of a Code Red fire alert.
There were times during the presentation when you could have heard a pin drop as we listened to an assessment of the fire season now upon us.
However, I was also left with a better appreciation of my ability to defend my home from fire, and what not to do if I did stay.
It seems almost two-thirds of the 113 people who died in their homes on Black Saturday were found in or near the bathroom of their burnt-out property, victims of a false belief that this was the safest place to be.
But few bathrooms offer an escape route if a fire takes hold in the interior of a house. The bathroom window is generally the smallest in the home and, generally, there’s no external door.
As it turns out, we were told, there is no one room to shelter in.
Rather, those who seek refuge in their home should be constantly roaming through it on the lookout for embers or spot fires. Vigilance could save lives.
It was a vitally important meeting, the latest in a series of community events to take place across the state of Victoria.
They have been well attended by residents with a newfound respect for fire - and memories of last summer.
Like everyone else, I left the meeting armed with a wealth of knowledge and a couple of brochures. Even more information is available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au and I urge everyone, again, to bookmark this site and make a habit of checking the information. On Sunday afternoon I witnessed a remarkable and historic occasion when seven Anglicans, including four women, were ordained deacons by Bishop Andrew Curnow in St Andrew’s Uniting Church.
The church was packed with family, friends and supporters of the seven, who have all been blessed with remarkable and interesting lives. It was a privilege to share such a special moment in these people’s lives with so many others.
A special mention must be made of the various speakers who respectfully and with great dignity made light of the controversy in the lead-up to Sunday’s ordinations.
It had all been capped off by the Catholic Church backing out of an earlier decision to allow the ordinations to be held at St Kilian’s, as St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral remains closed. So to Sue, Eddie, Robyn, Jan, Terry, Kath and David - good luck on this next stage of your lives. I hope you find your vocation to be a rewarding and enriching experience.
On Tuesday night, I attended the swearing-in of the City of Greater Bendigo’s 15th mayor.
Eppalock ward councillor Rod Campbell was given the nod late last month, and he has capped off his fight back from a debilitating illness earlier this year with a popular election.
Cr Campbell will lead our council for the next 12 months, coinciding with state and federal election campaigns.
Next year is shaping up as one of the most interesting and intriguing years for Bendigo in a long while.
There’s enormous potential for this community to boom even more in the months and years ahead.
Finally, my good friend Bob signed off yesterday from a professional life spanning about 45 years, most recently as chief executive of Peter Harcourt Disability Services. Bob has always led from the front, and it was under his tenure that PHDS received prestigious and international accreditation with the Council of Quality and Leadership a few years back.
It was one of very few organisations in a regional centre anywhere in the world to earn such distinction.
I hope Bob finds plenty of time to indulge in a couple of his great passions, namely cycling and golf, in the years ahead.
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