Summary

Digital photograph of the burning pine plantation taken by Robin McDonald at her beef property at Rosewhite, in Happy Valley, north east Victoria in February-July 2009.

Robin and her husband David, have been farming on this property since 1963, and were directly affected by the 2009 February bushfires which started in the early hours of Sunday 8th February 2009.

This photograph is part of the Victorian Bushfires Collection and is supported by an oral and video interview undertaken with Robin and David McDonald.

Description of Content

View across the paddocks on the McDonald directly behind the house to the east. This photograph was taken the day after the outbreak of the 'Black Saturday' bushfires. The fire has burnt the paddocks during the night, this photograph shows the beginning of the pine plantation catching alight. This 10 hectare plantation was established by the McDonald's in 1983 as their principal superannuation asset and was completely destroyed by the February bushfires - with only three years remaining before it could be harvested. The silage was not burnt.

Physical Description

Colour digital photograph

Significance

This collection of photographs contributes to understanding the experience of primary producers during the 2009 February bushfires. They particularly document the fires in north east Victoria, which were known as the Beechworth fires. These fires were responsible for the destruction of the greatest amount of public and private land in Victoria during the 2009 bushfires, and raise many issues and themes specific to the geographic nature of this area.

More Information