The heart of a thriving regional industry has been lost to flames after the historic Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores were completely destroyed in the Victoria bushfires last Friday. The inferno has wiped out priceless stock, equipment, and a cherished community hub for dozens of local winemakers and craft brewers.
A Community Hub Reduced to Ashes
For half a century, Trevor Peeler has managed the daily operations at the Cool Stores, a cluster of refrigerated sheds first established in 1917 for local apple growers. In recent years, it became essential cold storage for about 85 customers, from boutique start-ups to established wineries like Bress. "You actually can’t be happy about it," Peeler said of saving his own home while watching the business burn. "You can feel lucky, but you can’t feel happy because you look at everyone else who’s lost."
The site was more than just storage; it was a social focal point for a passionate industry. "Every time we went out there to drop stuff off you’d run into winemakers and apple growers and everyone would have a big chat," said Doug Falconer of Shedshaker Brewery, who lost an estimated 80% of his stock.
‘You Can’t Replace Time’: Producers Count the Cost
The emotional and financial toll on producers is immense. French winemaker Gilles Lapalus, a customer for 15 years, lost all his equipment and most of his stock, including museum wine dating back 20 years. "You can never replace that, because you can’t replace time," Lapalus said, revealing he is still mentally checking on wines that no longer exist.
Ken Gilchrist and Kaye Graves of the GilGraves vineyard saw an estimated 97% of their stock destroyed, despite their vineyard being safe. Yet, they are resolved to rebuild. "We looked at each other and said, ‘What are we going to do?’ And we decided, GilGraves will rise from the ashes," Graves stated.
Conna Mallett of Love Shack Brewing Co lost 350 kegs and 1,400 slabs of beer, with a potential cost of $120,000 that may not be fully covered by insurance. This uncertainty over insurance payouts is a critical concern for all affected businesses in the coming days.
Community Rallies with ‘A Huge Well of Goodwill’
In the face of disaster, the local community has mobilised with remarkable speed. Tim Sproal, owner of Boomtown Winery in nearby Castlemaine, organised a fundraising event that raised over $130,000 by Sunday evening through raffles and donations. "Castlemaine is the biggest well of goodwill ever," Sproal observed.
Looking ahead, Trevor Peeler holds a fragile hope to rebuild the Cool Stores in a way that better serves his community. "One thing I have learned in this process is if you treat people well, it’ll come back to you," he reflected. For now, the region mourns the loss of an institution, but the determination to recover, much like the resilient vines themselves, is already taking root.
