02/01/2025
Today is 02 January 2025, the 10th anniversary of the devastating Sampson Flat Bushfire that began on Friday 2nd January 2015 in a 44+º heat wave with strong northerly winds. The fire reached Hermitage the next morning. During the fire there was NO MAINS WATER at the Hermitage CFS Station to fill any Fire Trucks or Farm Firefighting Units. This needed to change.
Jointly, Denise & Jan compiled a book of the Experiences & Lessons Learned of c.100 Residents & Firefighters during & following the fire. We published our book, “Sampson Flat Bushfire - January 2015” & released it on 19th December 2020. By 30th June 2021 we raised enough money to buy a Large Bushfire Water Storage Tank for the SACFS & our Community.
We tried to gift this valuable resource to CFS and logically locate it adjacent to the Hermitage Station, but faced final rejection on 29th March 2023 by the powers that be.
“Never give up” is our motto. Paul Silby & Sara Dobson offered to locate the Tank in in their sheep paddock with easy access from the road. Jon Schutz, Dan Palmer and David Pound assisted with successful Planning Applications. Chucky & Alistair Howard prepared the Tank base supplied by “EM Quarries”.
On 29th January 2024 a 105,100 Litre Tank was erected. Arranged by Councillor Jessica Hawkvelt, the City of Tea Tree Gully Council supplied base water. On completion, water was pumped from neighbors’ John & Sue Navarro’s bore - it filled in 24 hours. Sam Brooks, Mural Artist, painted FIRE signs on the Tank. We supplied a quick-flow pump. Dean Leo & “Reece Plumbing” donated hoses and fittings - all are stored in a shed made by Leigh Verrall.
On 2nd June 2024, City of Tea Tree Gully Mayor, Marijka Ryan & Tony Zappia, MP officiated at the Tank “Opening”. Catering - Houghton Oval Committee sold a sausage sizzle & cold drinks; “Social Coffee” sold cakes & coffee; Paul & Sara sold their honey.
Sam Doman, “Ray White-TTG”, supplied access Gates that were erected by Marc Pejic, “PejSA”, Nick Carter, “Prodigy Plumbing and Gas” & Danny Verrall.
Thanks to Paul & Sara; “ReGen” Op Shop (donations); City of Tea Tree Gully; Cr Jess; Leigh; Jon, Dan & David; Chucky, Alistair & “EM Quarries”; John & Sue; Sam; Dean & “Reece Plumbing”; Sam, Marc, Nick & Danny; the Hermitage Community; our families.
All Work & Equipment was supplied by Volunteers from our Community.
Hermitage Community have a 105,100 Litre Bushfire Water Storage Tank.
We never gave up! ~ Mission accomplished!
Denise & Jan
