The smell of smoke lingers in the air and I am not sure where it is coming from, possibly from the Kilmore area to the south or Beechworth to the east. The temperature yesterday was 46C and we had a strong north wind. The recommendation was not to go outside unless you needed to. We were glued to the ABC radio listening to the continual reports as they came in.
We became very worried when a report came that Doreen was under threat but after a phone call to Chris we were a bit relieved and then the Bendigo fire was announced and we had another call to Allison and she explained where the fire was and how close it was to the CBD. I am listening to the radio as I have most of the night and there was another report that the fire in the Mt. Disappointment area may impact on the Doreen area.
The death toll and house loss has been devastating with 36 confirmed deaths and at least 640 homes lost and unbelievable stock losses and is already being described as Black Saturday. It is being compared to Black Friday and Ash Wednesday.
Monday update – Death toll is now 108 and at least 750 homes lost . It is truely Victoria’s darkest day.
I recalled a poem written by an ancestor of Jill’s (Henry Kneebone) talking about a fire back in January 1898 called Black Thursday. It’s rather long 14 pages with 14 verses per page. It refers to area such a Mirboo and Thorpdale. If any one would like a copy, add a comment and I will email you the poem.
Picture Black Thursday’s fiery storm
Consuming station stock and farm
From South Australia on it came
One thousand miles of roaring flame
Sweeping mountains plains and hills
People down in tanks and wells
All stock and produce swept away
A country bankrupt in a single day
It was in January ninety eight (1898)
That Gippsland saw the awful sight
For swift destruction shall we say
Embers of the worlds last day
With the high temperatures this week we have used the pool for exercising and cooling down to help us sleep. Lorna (our neighbour) has been bringing her grand kids over each day for a swim and a cool down. The air conditioning has been running continuously and having trouble coping but better than nothing. The North East of Victoria has not received any cool change yet and we can expect temperatures in the high 30s again today. The temperature of 27C being the lowest overnight and at 9.30am this morning it is 32C.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those that have lost love ones and property.
See you next week on the net.
Know the feeling about the fires, our daughter was also in the warnings for McKenzie Creek, Haven in the Horsham fire.
the were about 2ks from it. the prooerty that we have at Cotswold has had three fires through some it in my lifetime. I remember the Clunes fire in 1944 I was staying at “The Pines” with Nanny and Aunty Kath. They were told to be ready to go into Gibbs’s fallow paddock. Thank goodness that didn’t happen, though the fire came down to the lucerne paddock in Mum’s folks property
Hi Mac and Jill, I am currently doing some research on my mother’s family (Kneebone’s) and when searching for some poetry done by my Great Grandfather (Henry Kneebone) came across your site. Not sure if it is the same Henry but hoping so. He was married to Anne Evans if this helps and his parents were James Kneebone and Mary Ann Roberts. My mother’s line then comes through Henry’s son Eugene. I have one of Henry’s poems so far. A poem of the life of Henry Kneebone (His life from Cornwall to South Africa and Australia. Would it be possible for you to send me a copy of the poem you have? Any other information you are able to provide would be of great interest. This will only be for my own personal family use.
Thank you for your time.
Kindest regards,
Brooke
Hi. I am also descended from the Kneebones. My great great grandfather was George Kneebone who was Henry’s brother. I too would love to have a copy of the poem about Black Thursday. If you want any info about our side of the family, just let me know.
thanks Denise
Hi Mac and Jill,
My great grandparents were George & Sophia Kneebone, my grandparents were Thomas & Mary Lee (Barker) Kneebone and I would love to have a copy of the Black Thursday poem and hopefully be able to obtaina copy of the poem about about Henry’s life. I am researching my family connections.