Buchan’s off and running after bushfires
It took a herculean effort but on Saturday the Buchan Cup was run and won — just as it has been 132 times before — but this one had very special meaning.
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They left with muddy faces, smiles and hope Buchan’s true bush spirit would endure.
The signs of fire were still there. The flames even claimed part of the winning post.
It took a herculean effort.
But on Saturday the Buchan Cup was run and won — just as it has been 132 times before.
Mick and Ann Fearnley had not been to the cup in years. But this one was too special to miss.
“So many people haven’t had anything to celebrate,” Ms Fearnley said.
“Christmas and New Year’s were missed and this was the first chance for a lot of people to look forward to something and be happy.”
The bushfires that devastated Buchan just weeks ago blackened the entire racetrack and swept around almost all the facilities. Running the cup seemed unlikely.
But doubters underestimated the drive of a bunch of locals determined it would be run — at their own track and on the day scheduled.
Steve and Jayne Hammond, among the record crowd of more than 4000 people who saw Tycoon Felix win the $6000 feature race, came for one reason.
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“It’s to support the community and all they have been through,’’ Mr Hammond said.
Even Buchan and Gelantipy Racing Club secretary Ian Dunkley couldn’t believe the tiny town had pulled it off.
“I wasn’t so sure myself at the start, but not even a week after the fires the Buchan and Gelantipy community were saying: ‘Please if you can do this, we need it,’” Mr Dunkley said.
“We really have risen from the ashes.”