[Tony Wheeler]

Very sorry to see these scenes Euan, I was nervous all week about your Grampians collection but I figured the last thing you needed in the middle of a bushfire was pesky phone calls from me. Uppermost in my mind were the carriers so I'm relieved to hear they escaped serious damage, and of course it's great news that the museum was saved along with the houses. I imagine it was a huge effort by all concerned and a horribly tense time for your folks, I know what it feels like to wait for days and days while a raging bushfire approaches, wondering if it will or won't hit you, and praying for a favourable break in the weather to avert disaster and possible death. This was a highly unpredictable fire by all reports, with a 12 km high column spotting miles away and generating its own local wind conditions, all of which no doubt added to their anxiety. Friday morning arrival suggests to me the southwesterly change may have come just a few hours too late to spare the property...? Had your folks evacuated by then or did they stay until the bitter end? Either way it takes a huge toll so I hope they're OK, and whatever damage the farm sustained can be recovered from soon.

As for the blitz collection - very sad to see but at least no restored vehicles were lost I guess. Also extremely bad luck you've been hit by two different fires 300 km apart - remind me not to store my vehicles anywhere near yours! Seriously though you have my sympathy, I know it's a blow to lose stuff in bushfires. Of course I did offer to store the Holmes wrecker but I promise never to mention that again! I will mention your nice 16 inch chevrons though, which are safe and sound on the C15A chassis you dropped off here. Hopefully this pic will cheer you up a little after what you've been looking at up there.

Anyway thanks for the report Euan, I've been waiting with fingers crossed and fearing the worst. Best of luck to you and your family in the aftermath and recovery period, and also in future bushfire seasons for that matter.