JUST a fortnight since some of the worst bushfires the Adelaide Hills have seen since 1983, it’s easy to forget the destructive power the blaze had across the Mount Lofty Ranges near Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs.

But if you drive through the area, up through Tea Tree Gully and into the townships of Inglewood, Kersbrook north to One Tree Hill, further east towards Gumeracha and as far south as Cudlee Creek, you will see the destructive force of the blaze that burnt over 12,500 hectares of land and destroyed over 30 homes.

The fires mobilised hundreds of country fire service volunteers from across the region as well as numerous MFS, Police and special emergency services men and women.

With the fire contained with the aid of welcome rainfall days into the fire’s burn, residents have returned to their homes to assess the damage.

Fallen, burnt-out trees, cars and buildings dot the main road and even with fresh shoots of green vegetation a welcome sight for locals, the damage remains a challenge.

Many, particularly young children, are still coming to terms with the damage.

Brad Ebert along with portadelaidefc.com.au was toured through the fire ground by local resident and Port supporter Rick, who like many Power supporters, lives in the fire-affected area around the Kersbrook township.

It was a strange sight to see the recreational riders following the annual Tour Down Under streaming through the local roads around Checker Hill, normally this area is resplendent with the earthy hues of Australian bushland for the marquee international race.

Instead, the spectral sight of blackened trunks greeted us as we wound our way towards the hill’s summit.

The hundred-metre run of Rick’s driveway was confronting to say the least, with the now familiar sight of burned out trees all but walling us in.

The fire front burned close to Rick’s house and damaged parts of his property.

He was one of the lucky ones, with many properties in the Kersbrook area falling victim of the bushfire’s rapid blaze.

Rick shows Brad the damage caused around Kersbrook. Picture: portadelaidefc.com.au

Many of Ebert’s family members are themselves firefighters, so he knows the danger and destruction posed by bushfires.

“It’s very eye-opening, that’s for sure,” Ebert told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“When you watch it unfold on TV you get a feel of how much it’s affecting the people who live there, but to see it first hand and just see the effect of the fire that raged through is something else.

“Unfortunately it’s very much the luck of the draw for people in this area.

“Rick didn’t lose his house, but just five metres away his fence was gone and everything was burnt up to that point.

“It’s really confronting seeing how unlucky some people have been and how fortunate others were.”

The fire itself swept over a huge land area in a short space of time, and those who did not lose their properties were indeed fortunate.

Fire swept through the Kersbrook area, damaging trees, fences and buildings. Picture: portadelaidefc.com.au

Appreciably the hard work starts now for the many residents of Kersbrook and its surrounding townships.

While plenty of generous donations have poured in to provide support for these communities, much of it from Adelaide suburbanites who watched the smoke plume rise on the first Friday of January and spread into a haze covering the city that weekend, the real issue facing impacted hills residents is the lack of labour resource.

Fences need mending, sheds and buildings need repair or reconstruction – even with the regeneration of scrub in the coming weeks, the damage will remain for many.

Fortunately Blaze Aid – a volunteer organisation for helping with bushfire repair – has been able to set up in nearby Lenswood.

“The fire would rage over one hill and then the winds would shift around and move it up another hill of trees, it looks like it would have been quite difficult to battle.

“It seems that the changing conditions probably saved Kersbrook in the end.”

And as is the way after major disasters such as these fires, the community has bandied together.

It was evident on Tuesday afternoon when Port Adelaide’s playing group ran a community clinic for children of affected hills townships.

Kersbrook was one of the worst-affected townships – right in the heart of the fire ground – and acted as a central place for Port Adelaide to coordinate the clinic along with the Hills Football League.

Children and families from townships in the fire area came down to the Kersbrook Football Club to meet the players and coaches and share their stories.

It gave the Power’s players, many of whom have never set foot in these hills areas, the chance to see the way the community has rallied to the challenge.  

And while there was many-a-Power guernseys ready to be autographed, there were plenty of Carlton, Crows, Suns, Redlegs and Hawks jumpers taking part as well.

Hamish Hartlett takes local kids through basic handball technique Picture: portadelaidefc.com.au

So too were the guernseys of Gumeracha, Sedan-Cambrai and Torrens Valley.

The power of community was there for all to see.

“At the footy club on Tuesday you could see everyone was really getting behind each other and appreciating each other’s support,” Ebert said.

“That was the really big thing to come out of our time there.

“The playing group understands it’s a real tough time for these communities.

“We can’t rebuild these towns, but we can try and put a smile on their faces and especially help the kids out.

“You could see the community was welcoming and happy to have us, and enjoy the time we spent together.

“Speaking to the locals, some kids unfortunately have taken it pretty hard, because they don’t have structure back in their lives yet.

“I hope we were able to give them some enjoyment, if only for a few hours.”

Port Adelaide’s small contribution to the relief effort was less material and more an extended hand of fellowship on Tuesday afternoon, but it will make a financial show of support at the end of February.

That’s when the club will donate the gate takings from its first internal trial game at Alberton Oval to the state bushfire appeal.

Every gold coin or cash donation at the gate will flow into the appeal’s coffers and Ebert hopes the Port Adelaide community turns out in force to show their support for another community doing it tough.

“If you’re thinking about coming out to our internal trial make sure you do,” Ebert says to the club’s supporters.

“It’s all for a good cause, and instead of keeping the funds for ourselves we’ll give it back to people who really need it and who are really struggling at the moment.”

Port Adelaide’s internal trial will be held at Alberton Oval on Friday 27 February, gates open at 4:30pm. 

 

Ken Hinkley inks a fresh guernsey at the Kersbrook Football Club. Picture: portadelaidefc.com.au