Pat Gregory interviewed by Mary Hutchison in the Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3546414
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Gregory, Pat, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research and personal copies, written permission is required for public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 2005
- 2 digital audio tapes.
- Series:
- Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Pat Gregory speaks about location of property; Fitz's Hill; moving to Queanbeyan (1952); her marriage; her husband's family and property; continuing to work the land on leasehold basis after resumption (1973); Tennent Dam; her bushfire experience; earlier years of burning off around properties; living alone at time of fire with brother-in-law a kilometre away; her daughter and son in Canberra and Queanbeyan; days leading up to the fire; news of Corin Dam fire out of control; watching the glow coming from the west on Friday night; packing valuable belongings in car; the whole valley ablaze; the following morning fire closing in; contact with local fire brigade at Tharwa; preparations for stock to escape; only equipment farmers' tanks on utes; fireballs, dark sky and the noise of the fire; explosions; fire truck not available; the news that Rawley's place had burned and fire advancing; evacuating to bridge over Naas Creek.
Gregory talks about returning to house; lack of electricity; communication with family in Canberra during the fire; response to news of fire in Canberra; her sister's experience whose house survived in Eucumbene Drive, Duffy; immediate aftermath difficulties of getting meals without electricity; her brother-in-law Rawley; loneliness; change in routine of life; stock losses; fencing; insurance issues; support from Salvation Army; Recovery Centre; water issues after the fire; support from neighbours; awareness of counselling support; her anger about being neglected by local bush fire brigade; the Coronial Inquiry; A.C.T. Government; her lack of interest in anniversary activities; media coverage; the Canberra Times article; the women arriving with food supplies; books about fire experience; the value of reading other people's stories; stages of emotions; Rawley's way of dealing with the situation; changes in landscape; effects on other people; writing about own experience for grandchildren; biggest challenge managing to look after Rawley at a distance; being pleased that there was time to pack car and be prepared.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on June 8, 2005 at Naas Valley, A.C.T.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (5 p.)
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Hutchison, Mary, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project.
This collection contains 21 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2075 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2005
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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