This cache is inside a combination lock. There is no secret to the combination (hint: it's in the name); Its more for muggle protection.
February 6 2011, the area surrounding the GZ gained worldwide news coverage as a devastating bushfire swept through the area destroying homes and properties in its wake.
After the fires the GZ provided the best vantage point to see where the devastation took place. The property just to the north of the GZ was luckily spared as the front headed into the low lying areas of Kelmscott and along Brookton Highway which can be seen from here down the hillside. The area of destruction runs along Brookton Highway to the east, over these ranges and into the built up areas of Kelmscott to the west. Canning Mills road, was closed to all traffic and when it reopened, the road and the surrounding area was a charred figment of its former self.
As a resident of Roleystone, living on the western side of town, this was a day I will never forget. Since the wind was pushing the fire away from Roleystone it didn't come close to the house but we still decided to leave for the night. We are thankful of that but must also acknowledge that the reason we remained safe was because so many other people on the other side were not, had the wind been blowing in the other direction the story would be the reverse. Thanks to the valiant efforts of the Fire Brigade, despite the loss of property, there was no loss of human life.
Key bushfire statistics:
- 150 fire fighters on the ground at bushfire peak
- 200 police in attendance
- 69 homes completely or significantly destroyed
- 71 properties partially or incidentally damaged
- 590 homes, including 4,000 people, evacuated
- 405 hectares of land burnt
Click here for more info on the bushfire.
The cache was hidden a little over 13 months after the fire and aside from a few charred stumps here and there, they recovery is incredible. Houses are being rebuilt and the bush is teeming with life - it is difficult to comprehend the destruction of only a short time ago.