A former Berwick student turned firefighter was among the heroes defending the township of Alexandra, Victoria, as flames threatened the area day and night.
Despite 30 hours of nonstop firefighting, many homes were destroyed, though key infrastructure including the hospital, aged care facilities, and the business district was spared.
As firefighters, Annaleise Johnson and her husband, Timothy, were working tirelessly to save townships from the Longwood bushfire when they returned to find their own home in Alexandra destroyed.
“We were actually fighting another fire at the time in our community. We didn’t realise that my house was gone until the next day,” they said.
The Johnsons, who have been living in Alexandra since 2023, are holding up for now, but the emotional toll has been significant.
“Our holiday farm is gone. It had so much sentimental value,” Ms Annaleise said.
“I lost all of my nan’s belongings, all the memories we had… it means everything. We’re missing around 43 cattle.”
“I’m good at the moment, but I will fall apart at the end of the week. I’ve only had two days off work.”
Watching from afar, best friend Amber Warren, who lives in Emerald and parents in Berwick, said the experience was terrifying.
“I live close to two hours away, so I was completely hopeless to help her or her pets,” Ms Warren said.
“I can’t even go up and get her horses to take them to Jodie’s (her mum’s) house because they aren’t letting anyone up.
“I panicked on Saturday when I couldn’t contact her. But her mum let me know she had been out fighting fires since 8am that morning and that she will be okay.”
The couple is currently staying on another property they own in Alexandra, which was spared from the flames.
While government support has not yet arrived, the support of southeast friends and family has been vital in helping her begin the long process of recovery.
“Amber has been really great. She and her parents have donated 10 bales of hay for our property, which will help us,” she said.
State Control Management confirmed that firefighting efforts are ongoing, with crews tackling blazes at Longwood, southwest of Euroa, and Walwa.
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said conditions remain highly changeable, with hot north-westerly winds driving extreme fire behaviour.
