The January 1939 bushfires swept across almost five million acres, killed 71 people, destroyed 69 bush sawmills and almost entirely obliterated several towns. The small and remote township of Omeo lost the hospital, four shops, the main hotel and 27 houses.
Workmen from Omeo went to fight the fire at Cobungra Station, but they were trapped when the wind caused fresh outbreaks. Along with refugees from the station, including several children, they plunged into the Victoria River, and remained there until rescued.
Amongst those killed in the bushfires was James Ernest (Ernie) Richards, aged 31, a stockman from Cobungra who perished along with his horse and cattle dog.
The story goes that Ernie was out droving and tried to return to Cobungra to rescue his wife and young infant, but was caught in the flames. His wife and child had been taken into Omeo earlier by the doctor for safety.
Ernie’s body was recovered and buried at Omeo Cemetery, but the remote site in the bush was lost in time as the scrub regrew and people moved on with their lives.
The story I was told from a reliable source, but haven’t been able to independently verify, is that about 20 years ago someone from the Richards family (possibly Ernie’s son) was trying to locate the site and set out with the assistance of either forest management or parks staff from Swifts Creek and some knowledgeable folks from the Omeo Historical Society.
With the aid of a modern metal detector the searchers found a metal buckle from a horse saddle and figured they had discovered the right spot.
A metal plaque was later placed on a nearby rock by the side of the Alpine Way between Cobungra and Mt Hotham.
My photos were taken in October 2020, not long after bushfires had once again swept the area.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205973017
Victoria’s Forests & Bushfire Heritage 