The bush fire reached us at 5.30pm on Saturday 6th February, just as we were thinking about dinner.

The smoke was blinding and the wind south westerly was very strong and we could hear the roar of the approaching fire, although we could not see it. The guests staying at White Rose Cottage has already left. The guest at The White House made a trip into Healesville that they will not forget in a life time.

Helen and I locked Jefferson (the dog) in the house and hurried to bring in the six horses in to the stable block. As we were getting the last two horses out of the paddock to lead up to the stable, the paddock next door, where we had  just removed two horses, was already ablaze. With the horses in the stable and everything watered down, we closed the doors, started our two fire pumps and the battle began.

The fire came on three fronts. First from the east across the paddocks and through the trees, taking the arena fence on two sides and setting fire to the arena sawdust. The fire may have started from a spot fire in the paddock. The second front came from the south and joined with the fire around the arena. The third front came up Chum Creek Road through the under growth and setting fire to the stringy barks as it came thru. This fire came around behind the machinery shed to join with the arena fire. Helen and I were totally surrounded by fire at this stage, but we were very lucky that the three fronts did not arrive at the same time.

The equipment we used to fight the fire consisted of two fire pumps with their own water supply. One at White Rose Cottage with roof and perimeter sprinklers. One in the machine shed with enough hose to reach The White House, our own house, stable block and surrounding gardens.

Luck was on our side. Although we lost all fences on the property we did not suffer damage to any of the houses or other structures. All our gardens are untouched and as green as ever and the fences are already being replaced.

The blackened trees are already sprouting new green leaves, the paddocks have greened up (much to the horses and kangaroos delight) the tree ferns have new fronds, and the black boys already have nearly a metre of new growth on top.

Helen and I have been deeply touched by the 137 emails and 93 phone calls from guests asking how we got on during the week of fires. To you all we send our thanks and love. You make it all worth while.

Regards,
Rex and Helen.

PS we would love to see you again sometime soon.

White Rose Cottage / The White House
822 Chum Creek Road ,
Healesville. Vic. 3777
Phone (03) 5962 1192
Fax (03) 5962 2995
Email : info@whiterosecottage.com.au
Website : www.whiterosecottage.com.au

Please select on the thumbnail images to see larger versions of our photos of the bushfires around White Rose Cottage and The White House at Healesville.