For Mum Dad Eugene Patrick and Brittany E.H For my great grandchildren Mikayla and Myles D.C This story is set in Kinglake on traditional Wurundjeri land We wish to cknowledge Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and pay our respects to their Elders past present and emerging Wurun means manna gum and djeri is the word for the witchety grubs that live in and around these trees So Wurundjeri means Manna Gum People or Witchety Grub People
THE DAY BEFORE the fire comes seems just like any other School starts again tomorrow and another hot day stretches out in front of us In the morning Mum closes all the windows and pulls the curtains across trying to keep the heat out but by lunchtime outside and inside feel the same The tired old fan blows warm air around the kitchen and everything is heavy and still 6
My twin brothers and I shake off the stillness and disappear into the bush We chase skinks poke jumping jack nests and race down the hill through the dry bracken Ruby leading the way 7
