Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a traumatic time for many in my community last week as fire took over 30 homes and, tragically, two lives were lost. Rappville, like a number of communities, was cut off. It was surrounded by fire and needed to defend itself. Senior ConstableTroy Keep and Tracy Godfrey doorknocked every home in Rappville, advising people to take cover. Donna Sloan, the primary school cleaner, opened the school as people started to seek protection. Garry Marshall sat in a tree for hours, putting out embers as they came towards the school. Richard Rose and his son-in-law Mitchell Bennett strongly told two elderly people to leave their garage and come to the school. Fortunately they did, as the garage burnt to the ground. Rappville RFS members Neil Burnett, Ross Cole and John Arthur fought the fire while they themselves experienced some significant losses. I thank local emergency operation controllers Toby Lindsay, Michael Brett, Greg Lewis, Mark Somers and Greg Powell.

Rappville is a resilient community. Disaster relief is already flowing into the community and surrounds as we rebuild. Over 300 power poles have already been replaced. The hall needs to be rebuilt, hundreds of kilometres of fencing needs replacing and much more. I very much thank the first responders; the mayor, Robert Mustow; his general manager, Vaughan Macdonald; and the council team for their leadership.