St Andrews: At the Heart of the Immersive Bushfire Experience’s Origins
On Thursday morning we returned to the St Andrews Community Centre for our second Immersive Bushfire Experience workshop. We started the day expecting seven participants, and instead opened the doors to thirteen locals, many of whom had heard about the previous night’s workshop through word of mouth. It was another reminder of how deeply fire runs through this landscape, and how committed this community is to learning, sharing, and supporting one another.
The workshop began with a moment of honesty and vulnerability: one Black Saturday survivor told the group she felt nervous about taking part and wasn’t sure how she would cope with the immersive environment. The response was immediate and palpable. The room softened. People leaned in. Many understood exactly what she meant. That spirit of care carried through the entire session.
As residents began sharing their stories, the memories of Black Saturday were never far from the surface — the heat, the wind, the terror, and the way the day reshaped lives and communities forever. Survivors spoke about how that experience crystallised the importance of bushfire preparedness and how critical clear-headed decision-making becomes both before and during a fire. Their strength set the tone for the morning.
We were again fortunate to have strong representation from the local CFA. Paul, Steve, and Adrian joined us, offering grounded, lived experience that enriched every discussion. It was an honour to have Adrian — author of Kinglake-350 — in the room. We were also privileged to welcome Rohan from the CFA Regional Office. His commitment to bushfire education, combined with his own lived experience, made a significant impact on the group and on the IBE team. Thanks Rohan for your generous spirit and personifying resilience.
The participants in this session reflected the diversity of St Andrews itself: older residents who have lived with fire risk for decades, households with children, empty-nester couples, families with pets, and even one with a fire bunker on their property. All came with open minds and a desire to either build or rethink their bushfire plans.
One participant had what she described as a “lightbulb moment,” realising her usual strategy of “wait and see” on a high-risk day could be deadly for her children and pets. Others reflected deeply on how quickly conditions can turn, how stress affects judgement, and how emotional preparedness is just as essential as physical planning.
As with many larger groups, a few participants experienced minor technical issues with the VR headsets. Yet what emerged was a scene of community at its finest: neighbours helping neighbours adjust straps, troubleshoot connections, and stay calm. People waited patiently, encouraged one another, and shared in the experience with generosity and good humour. It was a small but powerful example of the collective resilience that keeps communities safe.
Feedback from the morning was deeply thoughtful:
The Immersive Bushfire Experience reminded me how emotional a bushfire experience is.
Excellent. Very realistic.
This was the best experience — I learnt a lot.
I attended because I wanted the emotional preparedness side of fire planning. This was quite different to the usual fire-plan workshops… and it was excellent.
The format added urgency to the need to be bushfire prepared in a way other formats haven’t.
VERY informative and worthwhile. Will help me improve my bushfire plan.
Once again, people stayed well after the workshop ended — sharing stories, asking questions, and reflecting on their own experiences of fire. The conversations in these after-moments often carry the greatest depth, and Thursday morning was no exception.
As the IBE team packed up, we paused at the commemorative plaques displayed in the centre foyer: the tribute to the fourteen St Andrews residents who died on Black Saturday, the etched tree sculpture, and the memorial glass created by local artist Rob Hayley. Among the names was Sam Matthews — son of Carol and Dave Matthews — whose story sits at the heart of IBE’s origins. Delivering these workshops here, in the place they called home, held profound significance for our team.
We thank the St Andrews community for welcoming us back with such warmth, honesty, and courage. It is a privilege to walk alongside you as you strengthen your emotional preparedness and connections ahead of the coming summer.
