Sandhill Ashes Rebuilds Bushfire-Hit Rural Community

Published: 28 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The Sandhill Ashes has emerged as a symbol of hope, helping rural communities recover from devastating bushfires in Australia. Following the catastrophic 2019–20 fires, small towns like Sarsfield and Clifton Creek faced immense losses, with families losing homes and livelihoods. The Sandhill Ashes cricket initiative united locals, bringing them together while celebrating resilience and community spirit after unprecedented destruction.

Australia is enduring another fierce bushfire season, with soaring temperatures, relentless winds, and record-breaking heat creating dangerously dry conditions across the southeast. Jason Heffernan, chief officer of Victoria’s Country Fire Authority, warned on Tuesday that any fire outbreak would challenge both firefighters and residents alike. The fires now rival those of the “Black Summer” 2019–20, which scorched 19 million hectares, claimed 33 lives, and impacted three billion animals.

For communities like Sarsfield, the aftermath was overwhelming. John Kinniburgh recalls the horror vividly: “We had a cedar house with decks surrounding it, and once the fire started, it just exploded. We went through surviving first, then gradually crafted our recovery plan.” Alongside his wife Carol, he joined the Sarsfield recovery group to envision the town’s future in five and ten-year increments. Despite the trauma, new families arrived, and reconstruction created a stronger, more connected community.

The Sandhill Ashes originated from a simple but powerful idea: a cricket match to unite fire-stricken towns. The local fire brigade, spearheaded by volunteer Phil Schneider, salvaged tea tree wood from a peat paddock fire and collaborated with a wood turner to create the Sandhill Ashes urn, named after a hill linking Sarsfield and Clifton Creek.

The inaugural match in January 2021 generated excitement across both communities. Twenty players per side, varying from skilled athletes to novices, competed for the Sandhill Ashes, cheered on by crowds enjoying food trucks and festivities. The event also drew the attention of the Australian Cricket Foundation, with cricket legends Merv Hughes and Greg Matthews offering coaching alongside the match. Sarsfield narrowly claimed victory by a single run, cementing the event as a cherished local tradition.

Kinniburgh highlighted the wider social impact: “Some men had withdrawn from community programs after the fire. The cricket match engaged them again and improved their outlook. One participant said it made a real difference to his sense of purpose.” The initiative also inspired Sarsfield Cricket Club’s rebirth, which had folded in 1999. The club now thrives at Sarsfield Oval, achieving second place in the Bairnsdale C Grade competition last year, with player Craig O’Brien named player of the season for scoring 339 runs and taking eight wickets.

Though subsequent Sandhill Ashes events were smaller, they continued to bring the two communities together, with Clifton Creek currently holding the trophy. The next match is scheduled for 2027, reinforcing the tradition as a celebration of recovery and solidarity.

As Victoria faces extreme heat, reaching 48.9C in Waleup, and Adelaide records its hottest ever night, Kinniburgh and Carol remain vigilant, observing from their rebuilt home with Luna the cat and Millie the border collie. The nearest fire lies 50km away, yet preparation continues, including water sprinklers and planting fire-resistant trees. The couple acknowledges that while prevention helps, the threat remains uncontrollable, underscoring the importance of community support and resilience.

Climate change remains a pressing concern for residents. Kinniburgh remarked, “It’s not just fire; it’s temperature, heatwave days, floods, and extreme winds. Fossil fuels and political agendas exacerbate these events, yet a blame culture often overshadows solutions. Volunteer fire brigades and environmentalists frequently face unwarranted criticism.”

Despite losing treasured cricket memorabilia, including caps and trophies, Kinniburgh embraces a practical mindset. “The loss is tangible, yet the memories remain. Over time, the number of lost trophies may have seemed inflated, but the essence of cricket and community endures.”

Sandhill Ashes demonstrates how sport can rebuild social bonds, restore hope, and revive rural identity after environmental catastrophes. Through resilience, collaboration, and celebration, these bushfire-affected communities exemplify human perseverance against overwhelming odds, reminding Australians of the power of unity and collective effort.

The Sandhill Ashes remains more than a cricket match; it is a symbol of hope, recovery, and ongoing vigilance in the face of climate-related disasters, fostering both community pride and preparedness.

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