Western District pioneers were confronted with all the elements
Australia has to offer including flood, drought and fire. Each
had its own devastating effect on their lives and livelihood,
particularly those on the land. By January 11, 1905, the Harmans
had already experienced the effect of bushfires. Fires in 1888
and 1901 had seen the loss of stock, grazing land and life.
Bushfires today are just as devastating but the pioneers of the
19th century and early 20th century did not have the weather
forecasting, firefighting equipment and communications now
available. When fire went thought Byaduk in 1905, one can only
imagine how they managed with the equipment, or lack of,
available to them at the time. The fire began near the Byaduk
Caves. The first Harman to be effected was Gershom, son of
Reuban Harman. The fire then travelled through part of J.
Harman’s property. I can’t be sure if this was the property of
James or Jonathan as both owned land around the Byaduk caves
area. Poor Mr Harper, lost all the timbe