Community rallies around Mark Mudie’s family to get harvest finished following his tragic death in West River

The Ravensthorpe community has come together in the wake of tragedy to help Mark Mudie’s family finish harvest on their West River farm after the much-loved figure lost his life in a bushfire.

Mark Mudie was tragically killed by an out-of-control bushfire in West River on December 1, when the front-end loader he was operating was engulfed by flames while he was trying to establish a fire break on his property.

Attempts to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful and Mr Mudie could not be saved.

He died at the scene, leaving both his family and community devastated.

Mr Mudie was a respected member of the WA agricultural community and the deputy president of the Shire of Ravensthorpe.

Tributes poured in from across WA following his death, including from the Shire of Ravensthorpe, neighbouring shires and local government leaders in the region, both the WA Premier and Opposition Leader, local MPs and CBH Group.

Mr Mudie’s son Nathan led the heartfelt tributes, saying in a statement that his father was a respected member of the Ravensthorpe community who would be dearly missed.

“Dad was a huge community man, loved the agricultural sector and a massive family man who will be well missed by everyone,” he said.

The West River blaze burned through more than 4500ha and took three days for firefighters to contain and control.

Local farmers, neighbours and friends brought machinery to the Mudies’ farm in West River at the weekend, ready to pitch in and get the family’s harvest finished for the year.

Photographer Dana Fairhead put her drone in the air to capture the community effort, taking to Facebook to express her pride in the “heartwarming” display of community spirit.

“In the face of tragedy, it’s often the smallest communities that show the biggest hearts,” she wrote.

“When something unthinkable happens, people show up — with kindness, support and quiet strength.

Today we’re reminded how powerful it is when a community rallies together

“What I witnessed yesterday was truly heartwarming.

“Hats off to everyone involved who helped Mark’s family take off the last of the harvest after he was tragically taken from us two weeks ago.

“You will be missed Mark.”