Prince hears of Black Saturday horrors

Prince William indulged in two great Australian traditions on Thursday - backyard
cricket and a barbecue.
But the third day of his visit down under was a more sombre affair than his time in
Sydney, with the prince offering support to the victims of the Black Saturday
bushfires that killed 173 people and injured 400.
Meeting with Victorian Premier John Brumby and bushfire recovery chief Christine
Nixon, the prince admitted he was surprised there were a number of fires on February
7 rather than just one.
"I thought it was just one big one," he said, adding that it must have been a
"terrifying" ordeal for residents.
He chatted with the managers of the Kinglake Ranges Wilderness Camp, Colin and
Michelle French, as well as their two children Darcy, 12, and Vanessa, 11.
The family lost everything - their home, camp and the children's school - in the
February 7 disaster.
"Oh my God," he said as he listened to their story of survival.
The prince was amazed as he examined a T-shirt, untouched by flames but still
attached to a Hills Hoist by melted plastic pegs.
The French family plan to rebuild the camp, where visitors have the choice of
sleeping indoors or roughing it in a teepee.
"I know which one I'd choose - the teepee," the prince said.
His Royal Highness's first stop was Walnut Street in Whittlesea, where he was
greeted by a cheering crowd of hundreds.
Mother of two, Bronwyn Hocking, 30, came to thank the prince for the royal family's
support of Australia after Black Saturday.
She moved to Whittlesea after her house in Pheasant Creek, near Kinglake, was
destroyed in the fires.
"We didn't lose family or any friends so we consider ourselves very lucky," she told
AAP in Whittlesea.
"The royal family have been really supportive of Australia and everyone, and we just
want to wave and say thank you."
Emily Shaw, six, of Mernda, was quick to offer her impression of Prince William, who
was dressed casually in light tan pants and a striped blue and white shirt.
"He's, you know, like all princes are, handsome," she said.
"Just like in fairytales."
Lynne Tolmay, 52, of Whittlesea, said she was more excited than she thought she
would be when Prince William shook her hand.
"He's got lovely soft hands," she said.
William also visited the small community of Flowerdale, where two people died in the
Black Saturday fires.
Dot Ehrnholm, 63, served the prince his barbecued sausage, an experience she won't
forget in a hurry.
"I handed him the plate and said pleased to meet you," she told AAP.
"I get goosebumps talking about him - he is just down-to-earth and casual."
The prince donned an apron himself and served up some barbecue fare to a lucky few.
Then it was onto a spot of backyard cricket, with locals and Australian cricketer
Brett Lee and retired test opener Matthew Hayden.
"Full toss," he instructed a young bowler, before successfully defending his wicket
when it was his turn to take to the crease.
Prince William will deliver a speech at an Australia Day reception at Government
House later on Thursday.