Imagine a community plunged into darkness, not by choice, but by the relentless fury of nature. This is the stark reality for the residents of Yea, where a devastating bushfire has left them without power, forcing shoppers to navigate grocery aisles by torchlight. It’s a scene that feels almost surreal, yet it’s happening right now, as locals scramble to secure essentials in the aftermath of the blaze.
On the morning of January 11, 2026, the Yea FoodWorks supermarket became a beacon of resilience. A worker at the entrance calmly directed the crowd, announcing, ‘Next person. Cash only. You’ll need to be guided.’ The town, still reeling from the fire’s impact, had no electricity, yet the community’s determination to rebuild was palpable. Inside, staff armed with torches and clipboards led customers through the darkened aisles, ensuring they could find what they needed—whether it was coffee and milk or tomatoes, bread, and Milo. But here’s where it gets even more poignant: despite the chaos, there was a quiet sense of solidarity, a shared understanding that they were all in this together.
Fiona Purvis, a resident from nearby Homewood, carefully navigated the aisles in search of milk cartons and a large tub of water. ‘We’re keeping our eskies full with just the essentials—milk, bread, butter,’ she explained. Fiona and her family had made the brave decision to stay and protect their 800-acre property, located just a 10-minute drive from Yea along the Goulburn River. ‘We knew we could protect the farm,’ she said, her voice steady but filled with determination. ‘We’ve got about 200 head of cattle to look after.’
And this is the part most people miss: while the focus is often on the destruction, stories of resilience and hope are emerging from the ashes. Adam Kupke, a supermarket worker, shared that the store had a generator, but it had unfortunately broken down overnight. ‘We’re just trying to do what we can for the people who need help,’ he said, his tone both weary and resolute. ‘It might get to a point where we have to close, but for now, we’re here.’ Kupke struggled to find words to describe the horror the region had endured since the fires began. ‘I grew up here. I know so many people. It’s devastating, mate,’ he admitted, his voice cracking with emotion.
While hundreds of buildings and homes have been reduced to rubble, here’s the silver lining: no lives have been lost. Yet, the close calls have been countless. Just north of Yea, on a remote property along Caveat-Dropmore Road, police executed a dramatic air rescue, evacuating two generations of a family—including a 92-year-old man and their beloved cat. The family had lost their home while attempting to defend it and had sought refuge in a shipping container as the fire raged around them. But here’s where it gets controversial: some are questioning whether more could have been done to prevent such desperate situations, sparking debates about emergency preparedness and response.
According to Victoria Police, the family had called emergency services on Friday afternoon, pleading for help to evacuate their isolated property. ‘After trying to manage the conditions for two days, including the complete loss of their home by fire, the 59-year-old woman called for help, concerned for the health of her mother and uncle,’ the statement read. The family had bunkered down in the shipping container as the fire swept through the area on January 7, even sleeping in their vehicle on Friday night. Their rescue is a testament to the bravery of first responders, but it also raises critical questions about how we prepare for and respond to such disasters.
As Yea begins to pick up the pieces, the community’s spirit remains unbroken. Yet, the experience leaves us with a thought-provoking question: How can we better support communities in the face of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep this important conversation going.
