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How one CFA vollie helped steady the community

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The Nugget
January 16, 2026

★ How one CFA vollie helped steady the community ★

Jodie Parker of Taradale CFA fame, and 5 Acre Farm

Gah. Jodie Parker is such a legend.

Over the past week, thousands of people have found their way to the Taradale CFA socials, where Jodie has been providing calm, practical updates as fires moved in on local communities. In the middle of chaos, her steady presence helped people make sense of a situation that was changing by the minute.

“It’s not uncommon for people not to have a plan,” she says. “That’s why we started on the Thursday and into Friday morning sharing bite-sized bits of key information on how people can prepare.”

Preparation turned into response in a hurry.

“On Friday afternoon, we got a call saying the fire was coming.”

Jodie’s plan had been to take her dogs somewhere safe in Bendigo. When the highway suddenly closed, she had to switch to Plan B.

“I went home to get my dogs. I had a bag with some food in it for them. I popped in a bra and some underwear, got my laptop and went to the station and went, ‘okay, bye house.’”

A couple of hours later, as conditions deteriorated, she posted a video alerting people that the Harcourt fire was large and that Taradale Hall had been opened for those wanting to shelter in place.

“I kept thinking, what do people want to know?” she says. “It’s about the community, but it’s also about our brigade and their families.

“It's challenging to communicate with your family when you’re on the fireground. Letting them know that the crew is back or letting them know where they are has been valuable for families.”

Taradale sent two crews to Harcourt. Jodie was part of the relief team that stayed at the station.

“We were listening to the radio to keep up to date with all the movements in case we needed to get ready to go.”

At 12:30 AM that night, she posted a video of the Taradale trucks pulling back into the station. Family members had gathered to wait, and the relief was real.

Later, crews shared stories of what they had seen: the intensity of the heat, the speed of the fire, how quickly conditions turned.

“One of our guys, Adam, was banging on the side of the truck, yelling to his dad who was driving, ‘go faster!’ The fire was coming faster than they could put it out with a hose.”

Some members just wanted to keep going.

“We’ve got a couple of new members and this is their first fire season. They managed to save a house with water from the pool. You just want to help in these situations. To be able to save someone’s home is amazing.”

But fire is ruthless in its randomness.

“The most stark thing for me is you’ve literally got a house that’s burnt next to a house that’s fine,” Jodie says.

One of the 46 homes destroyed in Harcourt belonged to CFA volunteer Tyrone Rice. His house burned while he was out fighting to save someone else’s.

“As a volunteer, you're not like, I’m just going to save my house. It doesn’t work that way. The reality is that you can lose your house while you’re saving someone else’s. Fire is vicious.”

Tyrone wasn’t the only Harcourt CFA volunteer affected.

“A non-operational volunteer lost their house and another volunteer who was out fighting fires lost his business.”

That business is Bloom Property Styling. All of their furniture, artwork and décor was stored at the Coolstore, which was destroyed — leaving them without income.

As the immediate shock fades, the emotional weight is settling in. Some people are falling in a heap. Others are desperate to help.

One of the most effective ways to do that is by donating money. Many people have also reached out to the Taradale brigade asking about volunteering for the CFA.

“A lot of people respond that way, particularly to fire. It’s a great response to have, and it’s really important that this is not done as a knee-jerk reaction. We absolutely need more people in our brigade in Taradale. We want people who are committed and can give their time.”

That means training, community events, and being able to show up for 12–14 hour days during emergencies.

“A lot of people want to help right now,” she says. “There will be fatigue in the coming weeks and months. That might be when it’s your time to step in.”

Support, especially sustained support, matters.

Jodie has felt that firsthand. Outside of the brigade, she runs 5 Acre Farm, small farm and business in Taradale, producing fruit, vegetables, flowers, syrups, teas and jams.

She recently left full-time employment to focus on the farm, a leap made possible by community support.

That same community has rallied around her now. Friends have helped with compost, mowing and daily jobs. Food has appeared at the fire station, enough to send home with volunteers.

“Oh God, I’m tired,” Jodie says honestly. “But I’m incredibly fortunate to live in this community.”

As Harcourt, Walmer, Sutton Grange and Ravenswood face a long road to recovery, Jodie’s message is to be kind to each other, and rest when you need to.

"I'm still on alert when notifications go off but trying to rebalance."

  • Listen to our interview with Jodie on MainFM

  • Check out her beautiful 5 Acre Farm. She’s sold out of products, but check back next time you are looking for a locally-made gift

  • Follow 5 Acre Farm on Instagram and subscribe to Jodie’s Substack, The Solo Gardener 

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