Ponies’ refuge from fire zone

EIGHTEEN horses from the Black Saturday fire zone are now being cared for at a Pakenham South property.
Dinah Huyskens has taken on six horses from a Narbethong property razed by the Marysville blaze. She is also looking after six miniatures from Gembrook – an area still at risk from the Bunyip State Park fire.
Mrs Huyskens said she put out the call as soon as she got word of the Bunyip blaze.
“I rang every number I could ring when the fires started because I have the accommodation,” she said.
A woman from Gembrook took up Mrs Huysken’s offer, afraid that she wouldn’t be able to load up her miniatures quickly enough if fire swept the area.
Mrs Huysken’s friend from Narbethong, whose property was burnt out by fire, tran-sported the six horses to the Pakenham South farm at the weekend.
Mrs Huyskens said she was happy to offer space at the family’s Pakenham South farm to any horse owners in need.
“If I need to take on more I certainly will,” she said.