Residents and business owners in the Victorian town of Harcourt have begun returning to their properties as the immediate bushfire threat subsides, confronting a starkly uneven landscape of loss and survival.
A Tale of Two Outcomes: Saved Homes and Lost Livelihoods
For locals Jess and John Bell, who are also volunteers with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the return was met with immense relief. Their home was spared from the destruction wrought by the Ravenswood and Harcourt fires, which claimed 51 houses in the area.
"We were very lucky," Jess Bell explained, crediting the swift actions of fellow firefighters. "The Castlemaine captain managed to get the bobcat and he sort of cut in a containment line around the back here, and we think that's saved a lot of the property." Their story highlights the critical, on-the-ground decisions that can make the difference between a home standing and falling.
Heartbreak for Local Business Owners
For other Harcourt residents, the homecoming was devastating. Remy and Bonnie Sowman, owners of the popular Coolstore cafe, travelled back from Woodend to find their business in ashes. The emotional shock was profound.
"It doesn't feel real," said Bonnie Sowman, capturing the numbness that follows such a loss. She recounted a heartbreaking final conversation: "Remy said yesterday, just go get the Starlink from the cafe and we'll hook it up at home. Then we looked at each other, and like, it's gone."
Their experience underscores a brutal reality of the bushfires: while emergency services perform miracles, the flames are indiscriminate when it comes to livelihoods built over years.
An Irreplaceable Blow to Harcourt's Community Heart
The impact extends beyond individual properties. The fires have struck at the social and economic core of Harcourt, a region known for its wine and beer producers. The loss of central businesses like the Coolstore cafe represents more than just burnt timber and fixtures; it signifies the erosion of community gathering spots and local industry hubs.
As one local producer mourned, reflecting a sentiment felt by many, "You can’t replace time." The recovery will be measured not just in rebuilt structures, but in the long process of restoring the unique character and connections that defined the town before the flames arrived.
With the immediate danger easing, the community now faces the arduous task of rebuilding, supported by the resilience forged in their shared experience of the disaster.
