Craig Martin and his father Adrian Martin, in their newly donated John Deere Gator.
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A donated utility vehicle has helped restore independence and momentum for a Goulburn Valley orchardist family recovering from the devastating Longwood bushfire earlier this year.
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The January blaze destroyed the Martin family’s home, sheds, machinery and 3500 mature fruit trees at their 80‑hectare biodynamic Mill Spring Farm near Ruffy.
Eleven tractors, two Gator utility vehicles and most of the season’s infrastructure were lost as the fire tore through the property during what was shaping up to be a bumper harvest.
For third‑generation grower Craig Martin, a long‑serving CFA member, the experience was harrowing and left the family with almost nothing.
“At the shed we lost 22 pallets of boxes for the fruit, the generator for the freezers, 11 out of 13 tractors, Sue’s car and my ute with my wallet and phone in it, all our tools and two six‑wheel Gators, both with electric lifts,” Craig said.
“The only survivor was the old ute we take to the Melbourne market.
“There wasn’t so much as a piece of baling twine or string left on the place.”
The Martins lost both their six-wheeled gators in the blaze, used by Adrian Martin to move around his property.
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While financial help was offered, Craig said one piece of equipment mattered most to his parents, particularly his father Adrian, who relies on a Gator to move around the farm.
“Mum said we needed a Gator first,” he said.
A generous donor worked with Haeusler’s Shepparton dealership to source a six‑wheel Gator locally and have it delivered within a week.
Craig said the impact went beyond the practical.
“That donation made us feel as though someone cared for us, when we had nothing,” he said.
“It made Dad feel important, because it enabled him to work.”
Haeusler’s general manager Lou Haeusler said the dealership would continue supporting the family’s recovery, providing free servicing for the next five years.
The Martins are now monitoring their fire‑damaged orchard following recent rain, encouraged by early signs of regrowth and continued community support.
A GoFundMe page started by the Biodynamic Marketing Co, the Martins’ agent in the Melbourne wholesale fruit and vegetable market, has raised more than $30,000 to help them restore the orchard and rebuild fences and sheds.
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