While last summer's bushfires didn't sweep through the township of Dartmouth, it took many residents back to a time they would rather forget.

Flashbacks of the devastating 2003 Australia Day bushfires reappeared in the minds of many long-time residents as they wondered what their fate would be this time.

Dartmouth CFA captain Jono Dower was just a 16-year-old when he fought that ferocious blaze, which changed the town forever.

"It was pretty full on," he said.

Now in 2021, Mr Dower and other residents of the fisherman's paradise reflect on the inroads they've made in fire prevention and how the town rallies as one when the going gets tough.

THE FEAR STAYS WITH YOU

Just days into 2020, Dartmouth was transformed from a tourist mecca to a ghost town as visitors and some residents fled the community in fear of fire.

It was a scene Dartmouth Hotel owner Aaron Scales and his mum and former motel owner, Robyn, had witnessed before.

"I think people were quite anxious during that bushfire time because we'd been through it in 2003," Mrs Scales said.

"We knew what to expect, I think we just never believed that we'd have to go through it again in our lifetime.

"When we heard how fast it was moving in the Upper Murray, we thought it's really not that far away if the wind's blowing the right way towards us.

"A lot of the women left if they had small children, as well as older residents if they had somewhere to go."

Both the hotel and motel took a hit as a result of the mass exodus.

Summer would normally be peak tourism time in Dartmouth, with many keen fisherman flocking to the area.

The motel had been fully booked as the fire warnings started to appear.

"We had the most dismal New Year I think we've ever had," Mrs Scales said.

"We had everyone vacate by 2pm that day.

"They just walked out and said we have to go home, we're scared and our children our scared.

"The town was shrouded in smoke and we were left with just the bare bones and the CFA."

While some ran, others decided to bunker down.

Mr Scales prepared the hotel as the place of last resort as others helped prepare food in the hall for firefighters.

"A lot of people thought we got through it in 2003, we'll get through it again," Mr Scales said.

"I think that's why some dug their heels in and said we're not leaving.

"We're a fairly resilient community up here.

"I think we learnt a lot from 2003.

"There was a good plan by local CFA and DELWP to run the fire into the top of the dam, which was probably what saved us."

HARD DAYS CONTINUED

After the smoke had lifted, the financial hits continued for Dartmouth as a cloud of uncertainty appeared.

"I only had one customer in three weeks after New Years," Mrs Scales said.

The struggles were only prolonged as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and lockdowns rolled into place.

"We had two good weekends between New Years and COVID," Mr Scales said.

"I had three where I was fully booked in the motel," Mrs Scales added.

"We were filled until June with events and fishing competitions, but they were all cancelled."

During the small window of opportunity the hotel hosted a couple of nights of free meals and a band to rally the community together post bushfires.

"We had half-price rooms and happy hours for Australia Day," Mr Scales said.

"It was just to get people up here and get things going again."

Mr Scales was forced to cut back the pub's operation hours and reset how he approached the business before light was finally found towards the end of the 2020 tunnel.

"We saw a huge spike in motel bookings as soon as the ring of steel around Melbourne was lifted," he said.

"Huge numbers started to flock up here for fishing."

IN OTHER NEWS:

CHANGES BORN FROM ASHES

Dartmouth has seen a number of bushfire safety initiates delivered across the town since the 2019-2020 fire season.

CFA captain Jono Dower said a collaboration between the CFA, North East Water, Regional Roads Victoria, Goulburn Murray Water and the local community has made the much-needed changes possible to help protect the town's infrastructure.

"We've delivered over $100,000 worth of fire prevention and preparedness works in the last 10 months," he said.

"We've had 230,000 litres of static water installed with water tanks in the town.

"One tank was a brigade driven project that saw donations from the community.

"We had donations anywhere between $25 and $1000.

"It was about an $18,000 project including voluntary labour and was installed within 60 days.

"Through Regional Roads Victoria, partnered with the CFA, we were able to treat the road with heavy machinery from Mitta through to Dartmouth.

"It just strengthens that line between the two towns.

"I think the community is pretty grateful for what's happened over the last 12 months."

Mr Dower was only a teenager when he faced bushfires head-on while fighting to protect Dartmouth in 2003.

He admitted this time round the brigade did not hesitate to spring into action to get on the front foot.

"I guess you could say we've had a bit of a practice run with it," he said.

"I'm glad we were only practicing this time to be honest, because the predictions were looking pretty dire.

"It proved to everyone that we're capable of preparing ourselves and gives the community a bit of confidence when they see the brigade working together to protect the town.

"I'm very proud of our brigade members and the wider Dartmouth and Mitta Valley communities for their generous support right throughout the 2019 and 2020 fire season.

"We've got a lot of committed brigade members in the community."

If the unthinkable was to happen again, Mr Dower is confident the town now has stronger capabilities to protect what they hold so dear.

"It's always at the back of your mind, but that's what we do our preparation works for," he said.

"You get a bit more comfortable with the position you're in when you see those works go ahead."

Mr Scales said change had been evident.

"I think bushfire recovery looks very different compared to 2003," he said.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

After battling a year no one saw coming with bushfires and a global pandemic, the Scales believe it has only brought the residents of Dartmouth closer together.

The community has rallied to help lift one each other back up and head into a new year.

"They definitely did during the bushfires, they really rallied," Mr Scales said.

"People who wouldn't normally talk to each other were talking to each other."

Mrs Scales agreed the unfortunate events brought out the best in people.

"A disaster really pulls people together and everyone wants to help because there's danger and they need to be occupied," she said.

"We went from one crisis to another."

A year on, Mrs Scales has now sold the motel and is focusing on running the family's farm, which lost all but one paddock in the 2003 blaze.

Meanwhile, Mr Scales has welcomed new staff in the pub's kitchen alongside a new menu.

Both agreed the overwhelming message from Dartmouth was that they are open and ready to welcome you into their town.

"We'd encourage people to come into the country areas and really enjoy regional Victoria," Mr Scales said.

"If you can't stay for a weekend, come for a meal and a drive and look at the dam."