Ruffy: A community decimated but surviving

THE community has suffered an immense tragedy in the past two weeks, with so many small towns decimated by the Longwood bushfire. Houses have been lost, sheds full of assets, livestock, fencing, tractors.

Ruffy is among them. The Ruffy Recreation Reserve and the old school are gone. The fields are black, and the sides of the roads still smoke and smoulder. Enormous amounts of work have been, and are being done, to remove trees that have fallen across roads, blocking locals from returning.

There is no way to put into words the loss and hardship faced by members of the community, as there are so many individual stories and tragedies. Some stayed to fight the fire. Some evacuated and returned to a broken town. Every person has felt the impact in some way.

As it stands, Ruffy is deep into clean-up and rebuild. The Ruffy Hall and the Ruffy CFA shed are hubs of activity. People grab supplies, reorienting themselves, working out what the next step is.

The hall is full to overflowing with donated goods, and a team of volunteers work tirelessly to keep it ordered and provide information for people seeking certain items.

CFA comes and goes from the CFA shed, managing the risk, constantly working. Dinner is provided at the hall, giving locals the opportunity to feed themselves, have a cool drink, and talk with other members of the community. There are showers, and internet, and CFA providing updates about what is happening.

A hub for hay and water has been set-up, and trucks come and go along the roads, carting water, delivering hay, moving livestock and earthmoving equipment. There are an…

Image: Molesworth by AR