Thursday 13th September 2018

Gary Van Burgel, the ADSA Walk Pilot Driver, ADSA South West Representative, and past Lodge Master of the Yarloop Masonic Lodge

In front of this plaque is an eerie empty space where a part of history once stood taken by a catastrophic bush fire in 2016 that destroyed Yarloop leaving only a few homes standing and a community mourning the death of two their neighbours and friends.  They were also burdened with the knowledge that the asbestos products in the homes that burnt had contaminated their land and the surrounding areas with respirable asbestos fibres. The clean up of the town of Yarloop was a long process and community members are now rebuilding their lives.

Gary took the ADSA Walk Team on a tour of Yarloop explaining the lay out of the town before and after the fire. Amazingly the Yarloop Masonic Lodge was spared. This simple yet magnificent building lined with local jarrah made for a meaningful stop on the tour.

The Yarloop Country Womans Association aka Courageous Womens Association warmly welcomed the ADSA Walk Team for a morning tea of fresh scones and delicious treats. But as Lois Blackburn, CWA Yarloop President, said, “the CWA is not just about tea and scones it is about providing real and tangible help to members of the community in need”.

Lois and her CWA Team gave a informative talk on the history of the CWA Yarloop which has just celebrated their 80th Anniversary with a book of Recipes and Handy Hints.  Stories were shared about the 2016 fires impact on individuals and the CWA ladies sold every copy they had of the book Stories from the Fireground.

Thank you for your generosity and for sharing your stories  Yarloop CWA.

It shows that hope never left this town that after a long clean up process Yarloop is rebuilding.

 

After a fortifying morning tea the ADSA Walk Team was escorted from Yarloop into Waroona by the Preston Beach Volunteer Fire Fighters

Once the ADSA Walk Team hit the road they received heartfelt support from the Union picket line at Waroona.

Charlie Clarke, AMWU, gave a rousing speech and then the Unions took to the road to Walk in solidarity on the South West Highway.

Mooriel the Cow outside the Waroona Visitors Centre

In Waroona the ADSA Walk Team stopped for a photo with Mooriel the Cow outside the Waroona Visitors Centre who was dressed as a Wittenoom Miner for the day in honour of the ADSA Walk 2018.