Opinion

Driving down the Longwood-Ruffy Rd looks more like a scene from an apocalyptic film than a typical journey through regional Victoria.

Burnt verges, scorched trees and black paddocks as far as the eye can see.

Then, a look over your shoulder reveals stunning Victorian scenery. Green trees, expansive fields and glimpses of normality within a sea of destruction.

I’d been given an opportunity to visit the small community of Ruffy.

A community almost wiped off the map by the recent Longwood fire.

I was there with Shepparton News senior journalist Bree Harding to meet the members of the community supporting those who lost everything.

In the heart of the town, the only two buildings unaffected by the fires were the CFA shed and the community hall next door.

That hall has become a hub for the recovery effort. Donated food fills the main room and a team of volunteers are in the kitchen making sure everyone’s fed.

It’s the one place the community can still gather. From CFA volunteers, to displaced families and generous locals dropping off freshly baked banana bread and scones - this is where you’ll find everyone affected.

Driving into the town the destruction is indiscriminate. You see a house surrounded by burnt fields, still standing.

Less than 20 metres away, their neighbour’s home is a pile of burnt and twisted metal.

In town, I saw a burnt out patch of vegetation on the roadside. In the middle was one plant. Lush and green. Thriving.

I felt it was a poignant metaphor for the fire.

You can’t help but wonder why some had homes to go back to, and others did not.

Were they more prepared? Did the CFA simply manage to get to one, and not the other?

Was it just down to luck? It’s impossible to know.

One thing you do notice while driving in, is the silence. In a place that should be teaming with wildlife, there was none. At least, at first.

Pulling over to take a photo, all of a sudden there’s an orchestra of birds bringing song to the landscape.

In the distance you can see livestock, feeding on the verges of burnt fields.

The area is already rebounding from the disaster. It will be a long process, but it has begun.

And not just with wildlife and stock.

When we arrived at the community hall I was expecting tears, sadness and people broken by the disaster.

But you don’t see that.

You see smiles, community spirit and a belligerent desire to not let the fire destroy the town or its people, any more than it already has.

We were shown the burnt-out wrecks of homes, the old schoolhouse and local store.

The Telstra exchange almost melted beyond recognition.

As we looked at the destruction, two fire tankers, which we were told had arrived from NSW to help, drove past. They flashed their lights and waved with a smile.

While most things there are far from great, the attitude of everyone is positive.

In tough times, people come together, communities show resilience and the best side of human nature is easy to see,

Ruffy is an excellent example of this.

Nature attempted to destroy this community, but the people won’t let that happen.

It will take time, but Ruffy will return, and the scars of the fire will fade.

Please note that emergency services are still asking the public to stay away from areas recently burnt in fires for a range of safety reasons.

We were able to travel in, with an escort, pre-arranged by CFA.

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Saturday, 24th April 2027

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