Summary

Interview, comprising two audio and two video born digital recordings, with Graeme and Wendy Heiner by Liza Dale-Hallett at their dairy farm at Running Creek, North East Victoria on 13 May 2010.

This interview covers the early history of this property when Graeme's grandparents first settled purchased land in 1943, their marriage in 1988 and raising of two children, the impact of the drought on their dairy herd and water supply, irrigation from the Kiewa River and Running Creek, experience of the 1968 bushfires. Graeme and Wendy describe their fire preparation in the lead up to Black Saturday and the role of the NSW strike teams in protecting them at the height of the fire front, the impact of the fire on their property, their role in managing the distribution of donated fodder, fencing volunteers and assistance from community organisations. The Heiner's had to deal with several crises in early 2009: in addition to the February bushfires on their property, in the same month the price of milk dropped by 40% as a result of the Global Financial Crisis, then in April heavy rains destroyed fences and pastures with run-off from the hills.

This interview forms part of the Victorian Bushfires Collection.

Description of Content

Graeme and Wendy describe their experience of the 1968 and 2009 bushfires, the role of the NSW strike teams in protecting during the February 2009 bushfire, the impact of the fire on their property, their role in managing the distribution of donated fodder, and assistance from community organisations and fencing volunteers. The interview covers the range of challenges they faced in 2009: the bushfires, the 40% fall in the price of milk and the damage caused by run-off following heavy rains in April 2009.

Physical Description

Two video [AVCHD] and two audio [WAV] born-digital files.

Significance

In this interview Graeme and Wendy Heiner describe the range of major impacts on their farm and income following the 2009 bushfires, including the dramatic fall in the price of milk and the impact of the subsequent rains. The Heiner's also demonstrate how important interstate bushfire strike crews were in fighting the Black Saturday bushfires.

More Information