collection lost in Grampian fire

[Keith Webb]

We live in a country that can deal a pretty harsh hand at times.

Very glad your folks are OK and managed to save the home and other buildings.

Hate to think how many CMPs have been lost in bush fires over the years.

The old tyres burn with a fierce heat which is one of the reasons my cab 12 (cab only) pictured above has not been completely burnt as it was just sitting on a bare chassis.

[hrpearce]

Sorry to hear that news Euan.

[Robin Craig]

So very sorry to see your loss.

Robin

[motto]

I sympathise with your loss Euan. You bring them home to preserve them and it's a blow when they are destroyed whilst in your care.
Unfortunately, Nature is relentless and it's only a matter of time before rain contributes to the process of returning everything to the soil from whence it came.

Dorothea Mackellar got it right, this land has always been a challenge.

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding rains.

David

[jack neville]

Sorry to hear it Euan. I was watching those fires as Amphitheatre is not that far from you. And the beer that was in those barrels? Gone too? No wonder you look so sad. Seriously though as Keith suggested. Every bushfire in Australia probably claims another relic here and there. Hope you can salvage a lot of bits.

[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.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Terrible news Euan! Sorry to hear your collection - and Keith's Cab 12 - succumbed to the fires.

Very glad to hear you and your family were not hurt, though!

Hanno