IT is a small, important piece of our history which has been miraculously saved thanks to the tireless, hard work of local and interstate fire crews.
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The historic 104-year-old Wauchope railway station, which was relocated to Upper Rollands Plains in the nineties, remains untouched, despite being threatened repeatedly over the last couple of weeks by bushfires.
The old railway station was purchased by surveyor Barry London and his wife Judith in 1989. They had the arduous task of transporting it to Upper Rollands Plains. They built their family home using the station as a base on a sprawling 100 acre property.
The lovable Ray McInerney purchased it in the mid-nineties and added his own renovations with his late wife Joyce.
The gorgeous, quirky property surrounded by forest on Littles Loop Road is now a focal point for the tight-knit Rollands Plains community.
And when Mr McInerney decked it out with a bar it became the designated party house too.
"I liked the challenge of turning an old building into a livable home," he said.
"The atmosphere of the place, the historic value of the building is just a real buzz and I still feel a buzz about it."
But over the last couple of weeks the property has almost been obliterated by numerous bushfires that have threatened Rollands Plains from every angle.
Yet while the bush has burnt, miraculously the house has survived.
It all started on Friday November 8 when a relaxed Mr McInerney was returning from an overseas holiday.
"I came back from a fantastic holiday to a fortnight of stress and worry," he said.
"When I landed I wanted to get on the next plane and get back to Japan."
His house was surrounded by smoke.
"It was literally hard to breathe."
Thankfully, his wonderful neighbours and local fire brigade were monitoring the situation.
"I was coughing and spluttering and I was thinking what a good job these guys were doing and I wish I was a bit younger so I could help them," he said.
Like for so many people in the region there was no let up.
Water tankers, bulldozers and 60 plus firefighters on the ground have been protecting the special property over the last couple of weeks.
At one point the fire came with metres of the home.
Mr McInerney was full of praise for local and interstate crews, particularly Rollands Plains Fire Captain Rod Innes.
"They really did an amazing job," he said.
For his part, Mr Innes said it was pleasing no homes were lost in Rollands Plains despite the widespread threat to the area.
"It has been demoralising for the crews when you see people coming out with all their possessions because you know you are not going to be able to save homes," he said.
"But to know at least that you managed to save all your mates places is a really good thing."
Mr Innes said it could easily have been a different story, particularly if the weather on Friday, November 8 has repeated itself that weekend.
"There was a four day window," he said.
"We knew the weather was going to be ok and we had to start getting back-burns in.
"If the weather had continued the same as November 8 then I don't think Rollands Plains would exist."
It is not just Mc McInerney who is grateful to local firies for saving the property.
Neighbour Kerry West says the property is loved by everyone.
She met Mr McInerney when he hosted a Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser at his property in honour of his late wife.
He had advertised the event in the local community newspaper.
Intrigued it was being run by a man she went.
Over 100 people attended.
"There have been many great community parties here," she said.
Lets hope there are many more to come.