In 2019 Araluen was in the grip of a long drought: paddocks were bare, cattle sold off when buying in hay was no longer possible, the creek was dry and we were all running short of water.
In late November, the fires started. Through the next three months we were surrounded by fire and we dealt daily with the danger and anxiety of not knowing what might happen, or when.
From 31 December we were under attack and on 4 January 2020 the fire roared up from the south, burning properties, houses, sheds and orchards – it was stopped at the very edge of the village. The fires finally came under control in February – only to be followed by flooding.
This exhibition was our way of saying what had happened- to tell each other, and the world. All the photos were exhibited, and each picture here is accompanied by the story told by their photographer.
We thank QPRC and Coordinare for their support.