VICTORIA BROWN - CONT. Shire of Esperance President (2015 - Present)
The Prime Minister visited our town not long after and
Cr Lara McIntyre and placed in the Esperance Civic
It was then that our recovery really started and continued
met with the community and volunteers and emergency
Centre for anyone to sign. So many people wrote in them
over the months well up to and past the first anniversary
services who had worked, and were continuing to work,
to share memories and show their love & support for the
date in November 2016. We chose to acknowledge the
so hard in so many different areas. He was particularly
families. Freddy’s book was particularly full, packed with
day very simply, with the four flags of Australia, Great
sensitive and understanding at a private meeting with the
so many messages for our local legend and his family.
Britain, Norway and Germany flying alongside one
Curnow family who had lost their father, husband, son
another at our jetty headland. A small speech from me,
and brother in the fires. The Premier of WA, Colin Barnett,
From the onset of that cruel deliverance from nature and
a minute’s silence, an unveiling of four bronze memorial
also visited us along with many other State and Federal
the ensuing inferno the human spirit shone through. Our
statues on Grigg Road, Scaddan, and a gathering of
politicians. The Premier was the first to kick off donations
amazing community, and those who came to help us,
those who wanted to physically be together to mark the
to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund which eventually
rallied and rose to the challenges, wrapping arms around
events of a year ago.
raised $1.7 million all of which was successfully
those who needed it most and lifting the community
delivered to the fire victims. Both the Lord Mayor of Perth,
onwards and upwards. We witnessed courage, tenacity,
I remember one particular story told to me by Sergiy
Lisa Scaffidi, and Her Excellency the Governor of WA,
compassion, generosity, unity and camaraderie. People
Sushchov, father of Anna. He said he was amazed
Kerry Sanderson, visited our community to offer and give
came from near and far to help repair burnt out farms
by the generosity and out pouring of compassion to
support. It was very much appreciated.
(BlaizeAid), bring in food for stock and fencing materials
his family that had come from our community. He had
(WA Farmers), offer social and emotional support (Red
come with his wife, Natalya to be in Esperance one year
For me the hardest meetings of all were with the parents
Cross). People cooked cakes and biscuits and meals
on and to attend an unveiling of bronze sculptures to
and families of our own local legend Freddy Curnow,
(CWA, Baked Relief and local groups and businesses).
commemorate the lives lost on November 15th 2015.
and with those of Tom Butcher, Anna Winther and Julia
Farmers helped farmers, neighbours helped neighbours,
Kohrs-Lichte. Freddy died doing the job of a volunteer fire
people made new friends, and the Shire Council Local
He said that they had booked into some accommodation
fighter and trying to warn others of the impending danger.
Fire Recovery Group was formed with sub commitees
and that the owner had asked if they were the family of
Tom, Anna and Julia were on an overseas adventure
in finance, infrastructure, environment and community
one of the young people who had died a year ago in
far from their homelands when they were caught in the
support. Then suddenly Christmas was upon us, and
the fires. He said yes, they were, to which the owner of
fire front. There were no adequate words of comfort to
there were end of school concerts and graduations to
the accommodation replied, “Well you will not need to
offer anyone. All we could give was an assurance that
attend, Carols by Candlelight, the Christmas Pageant,
pay for your stay with us while you are here.” Sergiy
their children would never be forgotten and their names
the Seniors’ Christmas Dinner…..and life rolled on, and
was so touched by that generosity and said he truly felt
always mentioned in our town. We presented each family
events in the nation and the world rolled on, and the
welcomed and known and cared for in our town.
with a condolence book. These had been organised by
intense interest in our small coastal town diminished.
pg 120 | VICTORIA BROWN