Rebuilding the Community in Marysville

Anyone who has had access to a newspaper, radio or television over the past year would know the devastation that hit Victoria when the horrendous bushfires swept through in February, on what is now known as Black Saturday.

The little town of Marysville was perhaps hardest hit, with not a house remaining after the searing fires. While the outpouring of generosity towards people who had lost their homes was overwhelming in the first few months, it is now the issue of rebuilding community infrastructure that is becoming vitally important.

After pledging their assistance during the bushfire appeal in February, Bowens recently completed one of the first of these projects to help rebuild the community at Marysville.

Bowens Mt Evelyn worked in conjunction with the community to re-build a barbecue with a gazebo and new picnic tables in Gallipolli Park, in the centre of Marysville.

“We basically started on Friday, and finished on the Sunday night. It was like a backyard blitz with thirty tradesmen from the surrounding areas putting in their time.”

Bowens donated all the materials needed to rebuild the park, including roof trusses, timber framing, cement sheet cladding and various other bits and pieces needed to recreate a bigger and better picnic area than the one that was lost.

Paul says the most surprising aspect of the weekend was the amount of community interest.

“People came from all over the place offering to lend a hand. There was actually a mini-busload of school-kids and parents from Ouyen – near Swan Hill. They did some painting and helped out where they could. We gave them our builders barbecue trailer for the weekend, and the local rotary club made lunch for everyone.”

And while the positive effects on the community are lasting, this project is only the beginning. “This is just one project Bowens has been involved in for the people affected by the bushfires. There will be more”, says Paul.