Golf Vic Vol 60 No 1

be reconstructed after the fires, the congregation walked down to the Black Saturday memorial at Gallipoli Park. A single church bell rang for a minute in tribute. Five days earlier, on the Saturday, the Marysville Community Golf and Bowls Club commemorated the anniversary, and the five golf and lawn bowls members who lost their lives, by holding the annual Liesfield Trophy. Behind the 18th tee, where the memorial garden and plaque are situated, a quiet ceremony was held to honour the victims. Lesley Rundle, the ladies' captain at Marysville, said the 10th anniversary was as much about remembrance as it was about thanking those hundreds of volunteers – individuals and organisations – who helped rebuild the town and golf club. And the thank-you list is a long one: helpers, donors, workers, suppliers and volunteers of every hue who came out in droves in the weeks and months after the fires to rebuild the community. BlueScope donated the steel used to rebuild the six bridges that cross the Steavenson River. Sand was supplied by builders for new bunkers, clubs and balls were donated by golfers around Victoria, and greenkeepers came from all over to help re-turf 17 of the 20 greens that were killed off. The dead grass and topsoil were removed and replaced with a new layer of sand, instant turf (paid for by the Marysville Lions Club) was rolled out and it was all top-dressed by hand.

reminders of Black Saturday are most vivid: a cluster of Mountain Ash trees, burnt a greyish-white colour and devoid of any vegetation, standing like silent sentries over the course. Amos said while the black wattle trees had regenerated very quickly, the Mountain Ash never recovered. “From the course, you can see them sticking up in the distance, and his band of volunteers: “It is in better condition now than it has been in the 25 years that I’ve been a member.” Golf has also been something of a saviour for Emblin, who still plays regularly at the age of 84. The rest of the time, he can be found on a mower or tractor helping Fiske and tending to the course. “I volunteer three or four days a week, cutting the fairways and greens, and doing whatever else is needed,” he said. “I’ve been volunteering for 17 years because I just love the club and its members, and I want to see Marysville get back to what it was – a thriving, successful country golf club.” ****** Marysville residents marked the 10th anniversary of Black Saturday with a church ceremony at 6pm on February 7 – the time and date in 2009 that the blaze roared across from Narbethong and arrived on the town’s doorstep. After the service at Christ Church, one of the many buildings which had to almost like a crew-cut,” she said. She said the course is looking an absolute treat at the moment, which is a credit to the young superintendent

The Liesfield Trophy played annually in memory of Matthew and James.

The greenkeepers also planted trees along the river near the bowls club, which helped stop soil erosion from the winter rains. The pump shed was burned down so a group of local plumbers, with the help of Goulburn Water, repaired the irrigation system that brought water up from the Steavenson. Arborists, and a couple of locals who worked in the logging industry, helped clear the most dangerous of the damaged trees.

Marysville course superintendent Kellan Fiske carries the reminder of the Black Saturday tragedy every day. Photo: Donovan Wilson

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