On the 7th February 2009 Haven, Drung and Remlaw were caught up in Australian history's worst bushfire.

Reports for the 7th of February by the CFA were that conditions were going to be "worse than Ash Wednesday!".  How right they were- witnessed by the devastation that was left behind - a day to become known as Black Saturday.

While the impact on the small communities of Haven, Remlaw and Drung has been immense, the response from the wider community of Horsham, the Wimmera and across the state has also been enormous.

Thankfully, no lives were lost during the Remlaw Fire unlike our fellow Victorian's across the state. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who suffered so much losing family, friends, neighbours andwhole communities.

The Remlaw Fire affected almost 360 properties, covering 2218 hectares (5481 acres) of land.
Eleven houses were destroyed with seven alone being in Haven, taking with them entire families' belongings, pets, livestock and lifetimes' worth of memories.  Numerous other homes were badly damaged and only just saved.

The fire also destroyed the Horsham Golf Club, Ryan Freighters, 172 kilometres of fencing and 46 livestock that were recorded. At Horsham Golf Club alone, almost 15,000 trees were burnt.

There was also extensive losses to local wildlife including numerous wallabies.

Twelve months on and the rebuilding of Haven is continuing. Four of the homes destroyed have been rebuilt along with numerous sheds and other structures.  Thousands are trees have been replanted and gardens are starting to be renewed.  The Wimmera Mallee Pipeline has finally been completed and for many of the Haven residents has provided a permanent water supply for the first time.  Our families are recovering and moving on - all at different stages - for some the recovery has been easier than for others.

The Haven Recreation Reserve committee has rebuilt the playground with donations, insurance and funds from the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction & Recovery Authority.  Other VBRRA funding was also received for projects such as this website, landscaping burnt areas, a community BBQ, shade sails, a picnic gazebo to include Haven's history and some new public toilets.  We welcome the community and visitors to come along and enjoy these new facilities which have been built in memory of Black Saturday and to celebrate the resiliance of our very strong community.

Black Saturday Anniversary

On the weekend of the 5th, 6th and 7th February 2010, Haven held a Black Saturday Anniversary Event. The decision to run a Black Saturday event wasn’t taken lightly because of the impact it had on so many people in the community.

It was hoped that by combining an event for Black Saturday with the Haven Centenary it would bring everyone together for some fun and entertainment while still acknowledging what everyone experienced just twelve months prior, which was life changing for so many people.

Murtoa Artist Steve Monk was able to carve out our Time Capsule in record time. We would encourage people to visit Haven and look at the work he has accomplished, as well as the display of articles in the cabinet donated by local community residents. We would also like to thank everyone who took the time to prepare information to be stored in the time capsule, which will be added to in ten-year intervals.

The committee were really appreciative of the funding that was received to provide the Black Saturday Event for the community through the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction & Recovery Authority.  This funding has gone towards organising the Black Saturday Event, the Time Capsule and to write a book on Capturing Haven’s History. Confirmation of the funding was announced only three days before Christmas so it gave the committee only forty-five days to finalise the whole event.

The Haven Centenary & Black Saturday Committee would like to extend a huge thank-you to all of the businesses, service clubs, sporting groups, media, artists, school and individuals who contributed in so many ways to make the Haven Centenary & Black Saturday Anniversary such a success.   
The committee would also like to thank the hundreds of people who came out to Haven and participated in the various events – your support helped make the weekend very worthwhile.  Also to the Mayor Michael Ryan and his wife Margaret for their weekend of support, as well as Members of Parliament Mr Joe Helper, Mr John Forrest and other speakers.

The weekend consisted of the following:

Friday

• Opening of the new Haven Primary School
• Art & Photo Exhibition / Wine & Cheese Night.

Saturday

• The Haven Market
• Bus Tours 
• Outdoor Concert

Sunday

• A Fun Run, Walk, Ride, Vintage Car tour and Horse ride;
• Free Community Breakfast
• Black Saturday Commemoration
• Unveiling of the Haven Time Capsule
• Bus Tours
• Unveiling of a plaque for the Haven Church of Christ.

All Weekend there were memorabilia displays and videos in the school and hall plus bus tours of the Remlaw Fire area and Haven Centenary tour.

By the completion of the weekend the committee was totally exhausted but really pleased it was a success. Everybody that helped out including volunteers and the Committee should be congratulated on such a team effort.

The memorabilia for the event is still for sale at our monthly market held the 1st Saturday of each month.

• Polo shirts
• Glasses
• Fire posters
• Fridge magnets
• Stubby holders
• Remlaw fire book

Three years On

Today we have jumpers on - can you believe it?   Such an extreme contrast to the scorching 47 degree temperatures and howling 90km winds that we had to deal with on Black Saturday.

The community has moved on - the four new homes are completed and their gardens are becoming established, everyones gardens are green, the new trees are growing well and we still have water in our dams, which is quite unusual these days. 

The new school is looking great with enrolments increasing - 17 preps started on the first day of school - a first that I have ever heard of.

We have dried out from the massive floods back in January 2011 which had almost every road and highway cut at some point.

We are still waiting to hear whether the new By-Pass will be cutting through Haven or Riverside - such a worrying time for the people whose homes it will affect.

The new Haven Playgroup is going well with good numbers of children and their families attending - this has been a great fire recovery project and one that we hope will keep growing in numbers.  There are a large number of young families living in the Haven and surrounding areas so it is hoped that one day we can include a Kindergarten / Creche / Childcare Centre as well so that we don't have to go into Horsham all the time.

The last of our VBRRA projects are about to be completed.  The new public toilets will be a great asset for the community and passing traffic with the inclusion of disabled toilets and baby change facilities - the walls are completed and just waiting for the roof, doors and fit-out.  The new picnic gazebo is also nearing completion - just waiting on a roof and walls before we can put up our Haven History displays.  The gazebo will be an excellent place for community get-togethers, events and any future concerts.

The new playground / shade sails and electric BBQs are being constantly used with people amazed at how nice the area has become - great for families, sporting groups and visitors to enjoy.

The Haven Market is still progressing along well - raising funds to go towards new projects at the reserve - but also providing a great community meeting place.  We encourage people to take the time to come along on the day and support the event.