Simon Hawkins is one of FFMVic’s seasoned Fire Lookout Observers
Simon Hawkins is one of FFMVic’s seasoned Fire Lookout Observers, with the 2023-24 fire season marking his 19th consecutive year staffing the Peters Hill tower, near Anglesea.
FFMVic has three fire towers in the Otways, with the Peters Hill tower overlooking Wadawarrung, Gulidjan and Gadubanud Country. The tower also marks the point where the first telegraph line from Melbourne to Cape Otway passed over the range.
A Fire Lookout Observer’s role is to ensure the early detection and reporting of smoke from unplanned fires. They take regular weather observations and have sharp map reading, navigation and orientation skills.
Simon said the role takes patience, sentience and a well-developed sense of personal safety.
“Although working solo is an essential part of what I do, I am not really alone,” he said.
“My chain of command connects all the way up to the State Control Centre at Nicholson Street in Melbourne and the combined radio network of the emergency management agencies stretches into every depot and fire station for miles around.”
Having spent almost two decades watching over the bush, Simon has been privileged to nature’s wonder and magnificence.
“The day I witnessed a carousel of some 30 or more Black Kites slowly whirling around the tower really does stand out,” he said.
“Believe it or not, observing and understanding the behaviour of birds is an important tool in my arsenal of awareness but that unique experience with the Kites challenged my knowledge.”
