Since our 2024 bushfire experience, we’re pleased to share what we’ve learned about preparing for bushfire — practical, real-world approaches that helped us protect our farm, home, and business.
There are several ways you can learn from our experience and apply it at your place.
Learn With Us
- Bushfire Preparation Workshop – here at the farm. Use the ‘Notify me’ button to hear about future workshops. Next workshop Saturday 28 November 2026.
heritagefruittrees.com.au/bushfire-preparation-workshop-half-day - Farm Fire Preparedness Webinar – In October 2025, we joined Agriculture Victoria to share our experience of preparing for, defending, and recovering from the February 2024 bushfire that impacted our property. Watch the full webinar: https://vimeo.com/1131552262/3586a29029
- Farm Fire Preparation Interview – our conversation with Agriculture Victoria on YouTube.
Watch here
We would like to sincerely thank Rob and Kate for sharing their experiences and insights through the Farm Fire Preparedness 2025 video series. Their stories, alongside those of other producers impacted by fire, provide a lasting legacy for landholders seeking to strengthen their preparedness and resilience. We greatly value the knowledge, practical lessons, and lived experiences they have shared, which will continue to support and inform producers across Victoria for years to come.
Tess McDougall, Statewide Agriculture Recovery Manager, Agriculture Victoria
Upcoming initiatives:
- Community Bushfire Forum at Campbell's Creek Community Centre (close to Castlemaine, Kyneton, Daylesford and Harcourt), Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026. We are speaking on Sunday.
Resources and stories:
- Our YouTube video: Our experience: 12 hours in a bushfire
- Scarred by Hugh Patrick Carroll — includes part of our story and many others affected by the Bayindeen Rocky Road bushfire. Available at outlets in Beaufort and on Amazon.
- Fire Wise Garden Tour – including at the home of Heritage Fruit Trees in Beaufort, 30 May 2026, organised by Pyrenees Community House
- Fire Wise Landscaping Forum and Workshop - our presentation at Beaufort, 13 June 2026, organised by Pyrenees Community House
What Kate and Rob don’t know about garden design, plants and rural living is not really worth knowing. Their wealth of information, combined with a relaxed and personable style makes them perfect as facilitators or presenters. They were integral presenters for us this year as part of a Firewise Gardening weekend, and we could not have been more pleased with their contribution to the conversation. I could not recommend them more highly.
Malcolm Sanders OAM, Manager Pyrenees Community House
- Fire Wise Plant Booklet – published by the Pyrenees Shire Council in 2025 with input from Rob Pelletier and Kate Blood
- Streatham & District Post-fire Gardening Series - our bushfire garden recovery talk, 28 July 2026, organised by Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre
Kate and Rob joined our community at Streatham Hall for an evening in our Garden Series. Our local community was deeply impacted by the January 2026 fires, and Rob and Kate shared a wealth of professional and personal knowledge gained over decades of experience in the horticultural industry. Their lived experience of bushfire was particularly valuable as our community begins to rebuild and look towards the future.
Some community members have lost their gardens entirely and are starting from scratch, while others are seeking guidance on helping their gardens recover and caring for plants that hold deep sentimental value. Our audience ranged from experienced gardeners and farmers to those with little gardening experience. Kate and Rob tailored their presentation to meet this diverse range of needs, ensuring the information was accessible, engaging and relevant to all levels of knowledge and experience.
Georgina Fraser, Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre
- Streatham Gardening Expo - our bushfire preparation and garden recovery talk, 19 September 2026, organised by Ararat Rural City Council
Council was really pleased to have Rob Pelletier present at the Streatham Garden Show. His insights on bushfire preparation and garden recovery provided practical tips for residents and business owners, and his recent experience with bushfire threats was relevant and relatable for our local community.
Mayor Bob Sanders, Ararat Rural City Council
- Weed identification education session - Kate Blood's post-fire weed presentation, 6 October 2026 at the Raglan Hall, organised by the Pyrenees Shire Council with the Raglan Roadside Care Network
- Resilient Homes Expo - our bushfire preparation talk at Lexton, 11 October 2026, organised by the Pyrenees Shire Council
About the Bayindeen Rocky Road Bushfire
On Thursday 22 February 2024, the Bayindeen Rocky Road Bushfire burned approximately 22,000 ha, including our farm and the home of Heritage Fruit Trees.
Our preparation was tested — and it worked.
Map of the Bayindeen Fire and our location below (source Victorian Government)
Get Involved in Local Recovery
We’re excited to be part of ongoing bushfire recovery and community resilience projects led by the Pyrenees Shire and local environment groups.
Ways to get involved:
- Raglan Roadside Care Network
- Raglan/Mount Cole Roadside Rehabilitation Committee – Pyrenees Shire
- Mount Cole-Pyrenees Nature Group
Facebook page - Upper Mount Emu Landcare Network on Facebook
- The Heart Project: healing through art, and The Heart Project Exhibition
Images (excluding map) copyright Heritage Fruit Trees.