Gave life to all the plants and flowers.
The bush land answered natures call,
The undergrowth grew thick and tall.
With the summer came the drought,
The springtime growth soon drying out.
The summer winds so hot and cruel,
Turned all the forest floor to fuel.
A lightening strike throughout the day?
A careless butt just thrown away?
It's hard to say just how it came,
A puff of smoke, a crackling flame.
A northwest wind blew hot and strong,
It fanned the furnace all day long.
The mighty forest burning down,
Heading for the sleepy town.
The wind continued through the night,
A thousand hectares soon alight.
The sun blocked out with smoke and haze
The bush firefighters faced the blaze.
The searing heat that starts to fry,
The acrid smoke that stings the eye.
They fought the fire through sweat and tears,
Found courage there to face their fears.
The towering flames and deadly smoke,
An atmosphere that makes men choke.
Enough to make the bravest flinch,
They vowed they'd never give an inch.
All through the night and all next day,
No rest for those who chose to stay.
Facing death with no regret,
The village still was under threat.
The fire had reached a vacant street,
The flames so fierce they must retreat,
Fire Control said "Don't Despair,
Head for the school, we'll hold it there".
With every tanker from the Shire,
They played their hoses on the fire.
Then suddenly the wind had dropped,
The town was saved, the fire was stopped.
Containment didn't mean the end,
The fire remained for them to tend.
A week achieved their final aim,
To quell the last remaining flame.
The townsfolk placed a marble plaque,
To mark the place they'd turned it back.
It bears the name of each Brigade,
The debt they owe them left unpaid.
Whenever fires consume this land,
Brigades turn out to lend a hand.
Courageous men and women too.
I dedicate this verse to you.