Harcourt Cool Stores Fire: A Community’s Heartburn and Resilience Amidst Bushfire Devastation
The Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores, a vital hub for Victoria’s burgeoning craft beverage industry, has been lost too devastating bushfires, leaving producers reeling and a close-knit community grappling with unimaginable loss. The fire, which swept through Harcourt and Ravenswood on Friday, destroyed the facility and the livelihoods of dozens of winemakers, brewers, and growers.
A Lifelong Connection Lost
For Trevor Peeler, the manager of the Cool Stores, the destruction is deeply personal. Having spent 50 years driving through its gates, Peeler was thankfully protecting his own home when the blaze engulfed the facility. “You actually can’t be happy about it,” he stated, acknowledging the relief of personal safety while lamenting the widespread devastation. “You can feel lucky, but you can’t feel happy because you look at everyone else who’s lost thier homes and it’s just unimaginable.”
Lapalus, owner of a small winery, described the loss as “flattening,” recalling the 15 years he’d spent expanding from a single room to four. “You can never replace that, because you can’t replace time,” Lapalus explained, referencing the loss of museum stock dating back 20 years and wine aged using a 10-year-old solera system. “I was saying to my partner this morning, I’m still there in my head, checking the wine, checking the temperature.But it’s all flattened,and I’m still not processing that.”
Many producers are experiencing a sense of numbness, struggling to comprehend the scale of the disaster. Yet, amidst the grief, a steely resolve is emerging. Ken Gilchrist and Kaye Graves, owners of the GilGraves vineyard in Axedale, lost an estimated 97% of their stock but are determined to rebuild. “we looked at each other and said,’What are we going to do?’ And we decided,GilGraves will rise from the ashes,” Graves affirmed. She emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses, stating, “If people realised what went into a glass of wine they might think more about it. You dig the hole, you plant the vine, you produce the wine and it’s a very soulful experience.”
A Community Rallies
The Cool Stores were more than just a storage facility; they were a community hub. Conna Mallett,co-director of Love Shack brewing Co in Castlemaine,recalled how Peeler initially questioned their unconventional approach but ultimately embraced their innovation. “He’s seen people like us come and go, but when we started trying more things, he loved it,” Mallett said. “It’s a passionate industry and everyone’s chasing their dreams. The Cool Stores became a community and so many people have fond memories and an emotional attachment to the place.” Love Shack lost 350 kegs, 1,400 slabs of beer, and packaging, representing an estimated $120,000 in losses.
Doug Falconer of Shedshaker Brewery and Taproom estimates his business lost approximately 80% of its stock and most of its packaging. He highlighted the Cool Stores’ pivotal role in providing cold storage within a 100km radius, and also its function as a meeting place for producers. Falconer and his partner, Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns, demonstrated the community spirit by donating pizzas to exhausted CFA volunteers.
A public fundraising event at Boomtown Winery in Castlemaine on Sunday showcased the region’s remarkable generosity. The event, fueled by donations of wine and beer from local venues, raised over $130,000, with an initial online raffle generating $15,000 before doors even opened.
Looking Ahead
Peeler expressed hope that within a year, those affected will be able to collectively process the disaster and move forward. He envisions rebuilding the Cool Stores to better serve his customers, but acknowledges the many uncertainties that lie ahead. “One thing I have learned in this process is if you treat people well, it’ll come back to you,” he concluded. “Even though I’m an old bloke, it’s taught me a lifelong lesson.”
