Murrindindi Shire Council has hosted the Governor of Victoria, Professor Margaret Gardner, for a two-day visit across fire-impacted communities in the Shire.
The Governor visited Highlands, Yarck and Fawcett, meeting with residents, volunteers, emergency services representatives and Council leaders to hear firsthand about the impacts of the January fires and the ongoing recovery effort.
Murrindindi was the hardest hit community in Victoria in the January blazes, losing around 144,000 hectares in the Longwood fire, and more than 190 homes within Murrindindi Shire alone.
Around 450 kilometres of roads and dozens of bridges and culverts were impacted and major tourism assets were lost, along with significant agricultural and wildlife harm.
During her time in Murrindindi, the Governor visited Highlands Community Hall, Yarck Hall and Fawcett Hall, where she listened to residents share their lived experiences and the challenges of recovery, and met with volunteers leading community-led relief hubs.
Mayor, Damien Gallagher said the opportunity for residents to speak directly with the Governor was highly valued.
“This visit was about our community, about listening to people who have experienced profound loss and disruption and recognising the extraordinary volunteers who have stepped forward to support others,” Mayor Gallagher said.
“The scale, complexity and cumulative nature of these impacts exceed local capacity. Our community cannot recover alone. Strong, coordinated and sustained partnerships with the State and Federal Governments are essential to meet immediate recovery needs and to
build long term protection against increasing climate-driven risks.”
During the visit, Mayor Gallagher provided the Governor with Council’s January 2026 Bushfire Advocacy Priorities, outlining key community needs, recovery pathways and policy reforms required to restore critical infrastructure, support local economies, improve emergency management and secure a resilient future for our shire.
The Governor was also accompanied by Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Tim Wiebusch on Thursday and Deputy Commissioner Therese Fitzgerald. Council thanked Commissioner Wiebusch for his direct support during the emergency response and confirmed that Council’s Bushfire Advocacy Priorities were provided to the Commissioner and Emergency Recovery Victoria to help shape coordinated recovery planning and implementation.
More information on Council’s advocacy priorities is available at: https://www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/Council/Advocacy-and-Partnerships/January-2026-Bushfire-Advocacy-Priorities.
