June storms – their stories

It’s been over a year since the major storm event hit Moorabool in 2021, but recovery efforts continue – and Council has released a free book, detailing the stories and images from those affected.

The Storm Recovery Team have put together a book piecing together photos of the incredible damage caused by the June storms, together with thoughts and quotes from the community, Council, emergency services, and recovery agencies.

The book acknowledges the impact the event had on Moorabool, and the ongoing work to recover.

From some communities such as Blackwood and Korweinguboora being without power for up to a week, to Council and emergency services trying to help without power or phone coverage, the book paints a picture of the initial chaos of the storm event, and how communities banded together.

One account, from Korweinguboora resident Ross Redwin, shows just how devastating the storm was, with a large tree coming through the roof into his children’s bedroom.

“On the night, I was asleep, and I got woken up by a terrible crashing noise. The whole building shook, quite violently. I had heard some weather warnings and I knew when I went to bed it was already blowing a gale,” Mr Redwin said.

“I took the one torch I had outside and I was off to the side of the house when one of my children actually rang me, quite distraught, crying, and told me that they were trapped in bed and that the roof had fallen in on them.”

Thankfully, neither of Mr Redwin’s two children was injured, but the family still haven’t been able to return to their house, which was completely destroyed.

Accounts from the Blackwood Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Blackwood CFA, and Bacchus Marsh SES Unit, show just a glimpse of the hours of tireless work that went into assisting those in need.

And finally, the book addresses ongoing recovery efforts, through assistance from Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV), free firewood, fence posts and mulch provided by the Storm Recovery Team, and clearing and hazardous tree assessments done by DELWP.

One positive from the storm, Blackwood CERT Team Leader Jan Ogle said, was that the importance of emergency plans and safety strategies were highlighted.

If you’d like to give the book a read, you can pick up a free copy from the Ballan Council Office during business hours, located at 15 Stead Street.

The book was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victoria under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.