Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

notes that:

(a)   Saturday, 7 February 2026, marks the 17th anniversary of the tragic 2009 Black Saturday bushfires; and

(b)   the recent and ongoing bushfires across Victoria have devastated the state, including the heartbreaking loss of one life, the destruction of homes, farmland, livestock and agricultural livelihoods; and

acknowledges the bravery and tireless dedication of local Country Fire Authority crews, emergency services and volunteers who continue to work under extreme conditions to defend Victorian lives and property, including those who met the call and travelled long distances to help support fire-threatened communities.

Debate ensued.

On this Saturday just gone, 7 February, we recognised the 17th anniversary of the tragic 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. It's a day that I remember vividly and lived through, like so many in my community. It was after a fortnight of a long heatwave that our worst fears eventuated, when fires ripped through parts of our community, killing 173 people, injuring 414 and destroying 2,029 homes. That was the physical damage, but the ongoing trauma and mental anguish lives to this day and will continue to live with all of those, including me, who were impacted.

There were over 400 fires recorded across our state that day. Each one was met with courage by the men and women of the CFA, the SES, Forest Fire Management and so many community members as well as the police and ambulance services. More than 450,000 hectares were burnt that day and almost 80 Victorian townships were left completely unrecognisable. We remember the brave men and women who met the call to protect our communities that day and in the weeks and months that followed. I'll never forget the way that our community came together in the weeks and months after the fires. As the ferocity of the fire finally extinguished, our community spirit and resilience rose, and that spirit of looking out for one another is something that lives on to this day. It makes our region the best place to call home. For me, as a survivor, Black Saturday's anniversary is a day when I take a moment to stop, pause, reflect and recommit every year to make sure I live my life in honour of those who didn't get the opportunity to continue their lives.

The dangers that we saw in 2009 are still with us today. As part of this motion, I want to pay respect to all who were impacted by the fires recently, and I want to pay tribute to cattle farmer Max Hobson, who tragically lost his life in the Longwood fire near Seymour in central Victoria, just north of my home and my communities across Casey. My thoughts remain with the Victorians who have been impacted by these fires, which destroyed more than 400 homes and caused mass devastation to livestock, farmland and agricultural livelihoods.

While towns evacuated, adhering to emergency warnings, CFA crews from across our regions turned out in force to support their fellow community members and Victorians. I've since visited local CFA brigades and spoken to many volunteers and captains across the community who were on the fire front. I had a particular conversation recently with the Badger Creek CFA. They helped protect the township of Alexandra from the oncoming fire. What was amazing about the conversation and what we talked about is that they left Badger Creek to go north to Alexandra. They were going to the danger while others, rightly, were leaving that danger zone.

The incredible courage that they showed to protect that community, stationed in front of an aged-care facility, is something we struggle to comprehend. They kept Alexandra safe. CFA volunteers all across the state put themselves in front of the fire front, in towns across our communities, to keep them safe. That is the community spirit at heart. The sight of those local trucks provides support to so many people.

It has also been wonderful to see the community spirit of finding ways to help. That was evident when a 300-strong crowd recently gathered in Seville to cheer on a convoy of trucks and utes donating hay to farmers affected by the Longwood bushfires. A group of locals who call themselves the Cute Ute Crew have been working hard alongside Aussie Hay Runners to deliver hay and stockfeed where it's needed. It was heartwarming to see the convoy of five semi-trailers and 157 utes make its way through the Yarra Valley up to northern Victoria, fuelled by coffees provided by the team at Branded Burgers. These are locals, some with memories of Black Saturday and others with the drive to help out, and they're making a real difference to Victorian farmers, giving up their time after working on weekends to support others.

It's this community spirit that makes our regions the best place to call home. And it's why we love this country. We go through devastation, we support each other during the devastation and we work together as a country—as Victorians, as locals, and as Australians—to keep each other safe and help through those terrible, terrible times.

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