12/01/2026
Thank you to everybody for the messages and calls over the past few days, we are all safe and well along with our staff.
Sam, Felix and Ed along with friends and family were able to defend the houses on Whitegate farm. Matt & Alison’s home on Oakley Valley is also safe. At the time of the fire no CFA truck or aerial appliance were available to attend the fire on whitegate, we are so grateful to those who stayed to help us and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the CFA for their incredible dedication and service to our community over the past few days - we truly appreciate all that you do. ❤️ 🚒
Unfortunately there is extensive damage to the farm, we have a lot to do - kilometres of fences to repair and we have lost many sheep that were killed or injured and will be euthanised, buried in the course of the next few days, hay was generously donated to feed the remaining livestock that have survived.
A huge thank you to Paul Kennedy who helped Bron deliver supplies to family & neighbours.
Although the clean up has just begun we want to thank all that have come to help, former workers, friends, family and neighbours with 40+ people showing up to help us in anyway they could who are prepared to do the toughest jobs.
Our thoughts are with those who have lost their homes along with their irreplaceable belongings, livestock and vineyards over the past few days we are thinking of you.
If people would like to help and you are in a position to do so, we ask you to donate to Blaze Aid supporting those who have lost everything.
I have linked below to one of our great friends Tim Batten who has lost everything. Tim is a former Upton CFA Captain who has been a community volunteer for decades. We hope the community can now support him.
Tim Batten | https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tim-batten-after-losing-his-home-in-longwood-fire
Blaze Aid | https://blazeaid.com.au/donate
(📷A few images attached above including lunch for our incredible community who will continue to help us over the next few weeks)
