As fires have affected communities across Victoria this season, many Pony Club grounds have once again become places of refuge – opening their gates on Total Fire Ban and Extreme Fire Danger days, and whenever a blaze breaks out nearby.
At Pony Club Victoria, we are incredibly proud of the way clubs across the state continue to support their local equestrian communities in times of need. One recent example is Ballarat Pony Club, whose experience during the January fires reflects the commitment shown by so many of our affiliated clubs.
Michelle says:
Opening the Ballarat Pony Club grounds for fire evacuations on days of total fire ban, extreme fire danger of other days when a blaze breaks out in the region is nothing new. We see it as a service we can provide the local equestrian community But the number of evacuees looking for refuge on Friday, January 9 when a fire broke out south-west of Ballarat took us somewhat by surprise. A large, fast-moving grassfire broke out at Streatham, travelling east toward Skipton, in the early afternoon prompting many in the fire area to evacuate. With a fire danger rating at the upper level of extreme in the central fire zone, where Ballarat is located, and catastrophic in the south west zone (which ends about 20km from Ballarat), the pony club gates were unlocked at 6am in case people’s fire plans were to leave early on extreme/catastrophic days. Several times over recent summers our grounds have been full, or close to full, after fire has broken out in the region. The severe weather prompted some people, living close to or in forested areas, to evacuate as a precaution before fire broke out and we had several horses in around lunchtime. Mid-afternoon evacuees coming into the grounds at Victoria Park were generally those close to the fire but in the late afternoon, ahead of a wind change, the CFA issued an evacuation alert over a large area coming close to the outskirts of Ballarat. By 7pm our 139 yards were close to full, others were setting up portable yards, and we were advising people both at the gate and via Facebook that the Ballarat Polocrosse grounds were also open. Many people were able to head home in the late evening after evacuation alerts were downgraded, but a sizable number of people and horses spent the night, and many from the Streatham-Skipton region close to the fireground ended up staying Saturday night as well. It was a team effort from the club committee and members, pitching in with whatever needed doing. Some committee members were among the evacuees, others came into the grounds to provide assistance, others updated online communications and everyone who needed a safe refuge found one. Among the feedback was the feeling of safety because the grounds are in central Ballarat, away from grassland and bushland where fire could easily spread. We were also blown away by generous gestures from the wider community. Local hay supplier Ian Miller donated 100 bales of hay for evacuees to use and delivered them at 10.30pm on Friday night, and the United Sikhs came to the club on Saturday to provide lunch for those still at the grounds, and The Ground Grazer donated hay feeders. As a club we have recognised the service we can provide to members and the broader equestrian community in our region are a looking for grants that can help us build the extra facilities and equipment that will help in future evacuations.
This story is just one of many being seen across Victoria. From regional centres to rural communities, Pony Clubs are stepping up – unlocking gates early, preparing grounds, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring horses and their owners have somewhere safe to go.
Pony Clubs are more than sporting organisations. They are community hubs, powered by volunteers, that stand ready in times of emergency. We thank every club, committee member, volunteer and supporter who has played a role this fire season, and we acknowledge the incredible community spirit that continues to surround our Pony Club network.
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As fires have affected communities across Victoria this season, many Pony Club grounds have once again become places of refuge – opening their gates on Total Fire Ban and Extreme Fire Danger days, and whenever a blaze breaks out nearby.
At Pony Club Victoria, we are incredibly proud of the way clubs across the state continue to support their local equestrian communities in times of need. One recent example is Ballarat Pony Club, whose experience during the January fires reflects the commitment shown by so many of our affiliated clubs.
Michelle says:
Opening the Ballarat Pony Club grounds for fire evacuations on days of total fire ban, extreme fire danger of other days when a blaze breaks out in the region is nothing new. We see it as a service we can provide the local equestrian community But the number of evacuees looking for refuge on Friday, January 9 when a fire broke out south-west of Ballarat took us somewhat by surprise. A large, fast-moving grassfire broke out at Streatham, travelling east toward Skipton, in the early afternoon prompting many in the fire area to evacuate. With a fire danger rating at the upper level of extreme in the central fire zone, where Ballarat is located, and catastrophic in the south west zone (which ends about 20km from Ballarat), the pony club gates were unlocked at 6am in case people’s fire plans were to leave early on extreme/catastrophic days. Several times over recent summers our grounds have been full, or close to full, after fire has broken out in the region. The severe weather prompted some people, living close to or in forested areas, to evacuate as a precaution before fire broke out and we had several horses in around lunchtime. Mid-afternoon evacuees coming into the grounds at Victoria Park were generally those close to the fire but in the late afternoon, ahead of a wind change, the CFA issued an evacuation alert over a large area coming close to the outskirts of Ballarat. By 7pm our 139 yards were close to full, others were setting up portable yards, and we were advising people both at the gate and via Facebook that the Ballarat Polocrosse grounds were also open. Many people were able to head home in the late evening after evacuation alerts were downgraded, but a sizable number of people and horses spent the night, and many from the Streatham-Skipton region close to the fireground ended up staying Saturday night as well. It was a team effort from the club committee and members, pitching in with whatever needed doing. Some committee members were among the evacuees, others came into the grounds to provide assistance, others updated online communications and everyone who needed a safe refuge found one. Among the feedback was the feeling of safety because the grounds are in central Ballarat, away from grassland and bushland where fire could easily spread. We were also blown away by generous gestures from the wider community. Local hay supplier Ian Miller donated 100 bales of hay for evacuees to use and delivered them at 10.30pm on Friday night, and the United Sikhs came to the club on Saturday to provide lunch for those still at the grounds, and The Ground Grazer donated hay feeders. As a club we have recognised the service we can provide to members and the broader equestrian community in our region are a looking for grants that can help us build the extra facilities and equipment that will help in future evacuations.
This story is just one of many being seen across Victoria. From regional centres to rural communities, Pony Clubs are stepping up – unlocking gates early, preparing grounds, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring horses and their owners have somewhere safe to go.
Pony Clubs are more than sporting organisations. They are community hubs, powered by volunteers, that stand ready in times of emergency. We thank every club, committee member, volunteer and supporter who has played a role this fire season, and we acknowledge the incredible community spirit that continues to surround our Pony Club network.
Pony Club Victoria
73-75 MACKIE ROAD, MULGRAVE 3170 | P: 03 8686 8925