The Deep Creek fire has torn through the Fleurieu Peninsula with terrifying speed, burning thousands of hectares. On Ashley and Cassie Edwards’ property in Deep Creek, sheds, equipment, a shipping container, vital infrastructure were destroyed. Despite the tireless efforts of the CFS and local farm units, Ash and Cass were forced to evacuate at the last minute as the fire overtook the adjacent sheds and their tanks ran dry.

This GoFundMe was started after our family and friends reached out, asking how they could help. While Cass and Ash would never ask for support themselves, the scale of the loss and the challenges ahead mean that any help we can provide will make a real difference in easing the stress and financial burden of rebuilding.

Ash stayed to fight the fire for as long as he could, pumping water constantly until their tanks ran dry, and when the flames came at incredible speed, he was forced to evacuate on his quad bike through the smoke and fire. Cassie, waiting intently at the top of a nearby hill, riddled with anxiety as she strained to hear the sound of his bike. “Like a cat with nine lives, seeing him appear through the smoke was the biggest relief, he made it out.”

Ash and Cassie watched from a distance as the fire consumed what they had hoped to protect. Their sheds, shipping container, where they had stored their tools, equipment, and treasured belongings, was destroyed. Pumps, water tanks, irrigation systems, pipes were all lost. Returning to live on the property will require months of rebuilding essential infrastructure, and the scale of loss, equipment and belongings worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, has left them facing an enormous challenge.

From conversations with me, Cassie described the experience in her true selfless style, being more worried about others:

"It’s incredible to see how our whole community has come together, everyone is doing their best to support each other. It’s just such catastrophic circumstances; people have never seen anything like this before. We won’t be the only ones affected, and that’s what really worries me — it’s so unfair. Thankfully, so far, no one has lost their lives, and that’s what matters most."

Even in the chaos, they were surrounded by acts of courage and kindness. Ash shared with me: “The CFS and farm units were working tirelessly, but there was only so much we could do. Everyone did everything they could, but in the end there was no water on the property left to fight with.” For over two days, they fought, monitored, and hoped, only to evacuate when it became too unsafe at the last possible moment. The experience was exhausting, overwhelming, and surreal, leaving them with smoke inhalation, anxiety, and the raw shock of seeing their land devastated.

Yet even amidst this devastation, Ash and Cassie remain the same people who have given so much to the community. For years, they have volunteered, led, and contributed: running the Normanville New Year’s Eve Pageant, Cassie serving with Rotary and Lions, and Ash establishing the Yankalilla Men’s Shed and so much more. Giving back is simply who they are, they would never ask for help themselves — but now it’s our turn to step in for them.

Ash’s income comes from a part time job at the local school, as well as farming and knife-making, and he lost much of the equipment essential to his work. Supporting them now will help replace tools, restore infrastructure, and ease the financial burden of starting over.

This GoFundMe gives people a chance to help lift some of the stress and pressure, and ensure Ash and Cass can start the long road to recovery with practical support.

Every contribution will go directly toward helping them restore essential infrastructure, replace lost tools and equipment, and rebuild their livelihood. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page or keeping them in your thoughts is equally meaningful.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping Ash and Cass during this unimaginable time.

Regards, Natasha Hunt (Cassie’s sister).