What a terrible reminder of black Saturday. As a part time resident of the district of 45 years (move in and out of the area due to work opportunities) I congratulate the volunteers who fought the fires and risked their lives and left their own homes to defend the property of others.Hopefully this will be last time we see these conditions this year. Good luck everyone and congratulations.

Hi, A friend of mine who i haven't heard from in a long time lives in Gerogery, Her name is Debbie Watson, her sister Glenys Cross they had a property just outside of gerogery. I cannot remember the road they had their property on, but if anyone knows if they still live in the area, could they let her know Sharon is looking for her. I lived in Walla for 10 months back in 1994 - 1995. But come from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Thank you Sharon. To all the firefighters be safe and god bless you all.

How very sorry for the people of Gerogery. Having been to Albury & still keep in contact, my heart goes to those people at this difficult time. Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who worked so tireless yesterday. Let's hope that you all especially have a Happy Christmas.

My parents home near Walla Walla was directly in the path of the firefront when the wind changed yesterday afternoon. If it weren't for the local fire fighters in the area, their home would have been engulfed, but they stopped it in its tracks. Thankyou so much for your efforts, with 2 young grandchildren in tow, there was no chance that they could have safely remained behind to fight for their property themselves. I have overwhelming gratitude for the firemen and women that did this for them. I hope they all have a quiet, enjoyable Christmas.

As the wife of an RFS member out last night in Ournie area and mother of a Gerogery west family and friend of Grerogery residents I thank you for your ecxellent coverage and pray it will be the last needed for this season. Thank you to all the volunteers who did such a memorable job. God be with you

worked in walla many years ago, moved to Sa in 93 but empathise with those of you affected,, some of the pictures appear to tell stories of homes lost due to burning ember impact, not as a result of direct impact to the firestorm, vigilance is the only means. here in the adelaide hills the danger of lost lives and property is much greater as the terrain lends itself to catastrophic conditions. My heart goes out to those who have lost, but please stay alert and emphasise the iminent dangers that could prevent fatal results in the future. i was a member of the sa cfs and know just too well that resources will never be enough to serve evryone. learn your lessons, count your blessings that no lives were lost

I wish all at gerogery my thoughts at this time. My son was helping his dad fight the fires at gerogery and as i live in melbourne am sad to see what has happened to my children's home town. The devastation to homes of old friends at gerogery has saddened us and our prayers go out to all of you that have lost properties. And to the Burns family our thoughts are with you!! Linda (Chapple) Kilpatrick and gals

My heart goes out to the residents of Gerogery and other areas of NSW suffering fires at this time. I am currently experiencing a white christmas in germany with minus 10 degree celcius conditions and finding it very hard to get my head around the 40 degree, bushfire conditions back in Albury and district. Well done to all the volunteers I have been reading about on the BM website.

So glad that no-one was killed in the Gerogery fire, Hope Mr Byrne pulls through with the injuries he suffered trying to fight the fire on his property. Glad to hear the pub was never effected and the school was saved! Our time in Gerogery, we made many wonderful friends and memories there, and we still keep in touch with many of them. My heart goes out to you all and thankful to ALL the people who fought the fire for what could have been worse that it was.... Thinking of you all - even more! Roy, Colleen & kids - previous Publicans of Gerogery Hotel, now in Western Australia. Take care everyone, our thoughts are with you. XX

I do not have enough words to express my eternal gratitude to the RFS and local residents who saved my house, shed and animals on Thursday. The fire came within less than a metre of my shed/garage and only my driveway separated my house from the fire. I was in Warrnambool when the fire broke out and it was a very stressful 24hrs until I got home to find all of my animals without any injury and my house and shed without damage. Looking around and seeing how close the fire got to the house and shed and taking most of my paddocks - i truly have no idea how no damage was done. Thankyou thankyou thankyou to the RFS and all those who saved my property. My heart goes out to those who were less fortunate, and as a community we will help and support you through this horrible time. Another big thank you to the people, services and businesses who have supported our town since this horrible event. Thankyou again from the bottom of my heart - i can never repay what you did for me on 17/12/09.