One of the AFL's most recognisable supporters is grieving a devastating personal loss after bushfires tore through regional Victoria, destroying his cherished sanctuary filled with decades of Geelong Cats history.
Catman's Sanctuary Goes Up in Flames
Troy 'Catman' West, famed for his unwavering support of the Geelong Cats, arrived at his Mount Alexandria property near Bendigo on Saturday morning to a heartbreaking scene. The separate shed he called his "catcave" – a treasure trove of club paraphernalia, cheer squad equipment, and his filming studio – was completely destroyed by the Ravenswood fire.
An emotional West documented the loss on social media, where he could be heard sobbing, "F***! It's the end of the catcave." He had evacuated to stay with family overnight and returned at 6.30am on Saturday to discover the extent of the damage after winds turned easterly on Friday afternoon, putting his property directly in the fire's path.
Irreplaceable Sentimental Loss
The loss extends far beyond physical items for West. He revealed that among the ashes were precious, irreplaceable mementos of his late father, who recently lost his battle with cancer. This included signed Geelong paperwork dating back to the 1960s.
"A lot of paperwork he had signed off at Geelong is irreplaceable," West told 7NEWS reporter Rochelle Brown. He had also just completed a portfolio documenting his 30-year journey as the iconic 'Catman', which was also lost.
"Everything's gone," a devastated West said, fighting back tears. "It was a very elaborate room, so I've lost all that. I've lost three-quarters of my Catman gear. My family videos, everything, it's been horrendous."
A Personal Refuge Destroyed
The catcave was more than just a storage space; it was West's personal retreat. "I used to come here every day from 2pm to 6pm at night to get away from everything," he explained. "It was my peace palace, where I keep calm, to deal with everything and deal with my anxieties."
He listed the personal items lost, including all his makeup, his "beautiful boots," and the flag he famously waves at games. The property's infrastructure was also crippled, leaving him without power, wifi, or running water, as the pump was connected to the destroyed shed.
The devastation extended to local wildlife, with West stating he had "seen some very burnt kangaroos which really, really upsets me."
Finding a Silver Lining
Despite the profound loss, West focused on a crucial piece of good fortune. His house was saved, thanks to an elaborate watering system he and others activated with a generator.
"I'm very lucky to have a home still. We've kept our home and a lot of other people haven't," he said, demonstrating resilience. The fan who once made headlines by demanding a replay after Geelong's 2023 grand final loss to Brisbane now faces a far more significant challenge.
"I'm a really sad cat today," West concluded, summing up the emotional toll of seeing his lifelong passion literally reduced to ashes in the ongoing Victorian bushfire crisis.
