Black Friday
January 13 - 20 1939 Drought conditions and water shortages followed by a combination of high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity caused fires to ignite throughout Victorian bush communities. The towns of Narbethong, Noojee, Woods Point, Nayook West and Hill End were completely destroyed; Warrandyte, Yarra Glen, Omeo, Pomonal were badly damaged; and Toolangi, Warburton, Thomson Valley, Bright, Cudgewa, Curryong, Portland, the Otway Ranges, the Grampians, the Black Range, Rubicon, Acheron, Tanjil Bren, Matlock, Erica, Toombullop and the Black Forest were affected. 71 people were killed and 650 houses were destroyed overall. |