Tragedy has struck a central Victorian farming community after a local cattle producer was killed while attempting to defend his property from a devastating bushfire.
A Life Lost on the Land
Maxwell Hobson, who ran Aintree Farm Herefords with his wife Julie, has been identified as the person who died in the Longwood fire over the weekend. It is understood Hobson had made the fateful decision to stay and protect his 101-hectare property at Terip Terip, where he bred and sold cattle, before flames overwhelmed the area.
Victoria Police confirmed on Sunday that human remains were discovered approximately 100 metres from a burnt-out vehicle on Yarck Road at Gobur. The news sent a wave of grief through the tight-knit community and the state's emergency services.
A Man of Many Talents
According to a tribute shared by Herefords Australia, the Hobsons were dedicated to their farm. Maxwell Hobson's professional life before farming was equally substantial. A LinkedIn profile indicates he spent decades working in engineering and project management, with experience spanning Australia and South America.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her profound sorrow on Monday. "My thoughts and condolences are with that person’s family, their loved ones, the broader community too," she said. "Everyone across the emergency services and fire-affected communities felt that loss... It’s a devastating impact and it’s a devastating reminder of the tragedy that fire can bring."
Statewide Fire Crisis Continues
The heartbreaking loss comes as the scale of destruction from the Victorian fire emergency becomes clearer. By Monday, the number of destroyed structures had surged to 350, including more than 100 homes. Authorities warn this figure is expected to rise significantly once assessment teams can safely access all fire-ravaged zones.
The fire danger is far from over. As of Monday afternoon, twelve major fires were still burning across the state, with emergency services maintaining 19 separate Watch and Act alerts for threatened communities.
This incident serves as a sombre and powerful reminder of the extreme dangers faced by residents and firefighters during catastrophic weather conditions, and the profound personal cost of Australia's bushfire seasons.
