The promotions manager of Camperdown’s Mercy Regional College is also a dairy farmer in Terang and while feeling tired on Monday, said there was much to be grateful for.

“The big thing is there’s no loss of life,” she said.

Mrs Giblin’s property was under threat on Saturday night with significant damage caused by the wind.

“We could see the glowing of the Terang sub station,” she said. “The wind was absolutely crazy. It’s something that’s hard to describe.

“Then we kept hearing the CFA app buzzing.”

After listening to the sound of trees cracking from the fire’s heat, Julie and husband Jo decided to leave.

“We chose to evacuate,” she said. “We could see the fire coming up the neighbour’s driveway.

“We left in less than five minutes.

“We grabbed the computer, the animals and the kids.

“I remember rushing around trying to find the cat.” she said.

“There was no time to collect momentos like wedding photos or sentimental items, or even fresh clothes.”

The family had little choice but to go to a relief shelter in Terang’s town centre.

“We initially thought we’d bunker down at the in-laws but the fire was coming at us from both directions.

Mrs Giblin returned to work on Monday morning, with the school opening at half capacity.

“Mercy made a decision to open just the senior campus today,” she said. “We are so dependent on bus networks here and some areas are still closed.

“I think a lot of kids will be staying home with their families today and probably helping in the clean up.”

Staff members at the school were among those affected by the fires.

“Two of our teachers have lost their homes,” she said. “And quite a lot of students have had family and friends affected. 

“Mainly there’s a lot of very tired people in the area today.”

Mrs Giblin’s husband, Joe, survived the Ash Wednesday fires and Mrs Giblin said reactions had changed since 1983.

“I think we’ve become more vigilant over the years,” she said. “Now we don’t hang around in a fire.

“We were told in the 80s to stay and protect your home but I think we’ve learnt since then.”

The ferocity of the fire is what took people by surprise, Mrs Giblin said.

“I heard a CFA volunteer who’d fought many fires over the years, say that this was the first fire that really scared him.

“My husband said he felt the fire was even faster than the Ash Wednesday fires.”

When work finished on Monday,  Mrs Giblin said she’d be kept busy baking for fellow community members.

“The community is very strong at this time,” she said. “I’ve heard many asking ‘what can I do to help’.

“I’m doing what I can by baking for friends who’ve lost their homes. Every little thing helps.”