Imagine waking up to discover your livelihood, your dreams, and years of hard work reduced to ashes. That's the devastating reality facing dozens of small business owners in Harcourt, Victoria, after the horrific fires of January 12, 2026. Their stories are heartbreaking, with many facing complete income loss and an uncertain future. But amidst the devastation, a powerful wave of community support is rising to help these businesses rebuild.
Raffles, donations, and countless other fundraising initiatives are underway for the 80-plus businesses impacted, ranging from beloved wineries and cozy cafes to innovative distillers and cider-makers. The tight-knit community is rallying to support these businesses, which are the heart and soul of their town.
As Harcourt grapples with the aftermath of the fires that ravaged homes and the Cooperative Cool Stores (a hub housing over 80 businesses), the neighboring town of Castlemaine wasted no time in springing into action. Winemakers Boomtown, a prominent name in the Castlemaine Mill precinct, swiftly organized a fundraiser on Sunday, featuring an auction, raffle, and drinks sales, all dedicated to supporting Harcourt residents. While initial reports suggest that over $130,000 was raised, Boomtown has been contacted to confirm the exact figure. This rapid response highlights the strong bonds within the region.
Tragically, over 50 structures, including homes and businesses, were destroyed in Harcourt. The town is particularly known for its apple orchards, which are crucial for producing its renowned cider. Harcourt's Cooperative Cool Stores, a central facility for many businesses, was completely decimated by the Ravenswood blaze, leaving behind a scene of ashes and twisted metal.
Gilles Lapalus, a local entrepreneur, operated two businesses from the Cool Stores. His wine business, Maison Lapalus, suffered a total loss of stock and equipment. Similarly, his Maidenii vermouth business, celebrated across Australia's top bars and restaurants since its launch in 2013, lost all its equipment, inventory, and essential raw materials. And this is the part most people miss... The destruction included irreplaceable items like a 10-year-old solera system. For those unfamiliar, a solera is a carefully stacked arrangement of barrels used to age spirits, wines, and sherry, representing years of dedicated craftsmanship.
The loss of locally sourced botanicals, vital to Maidenii's unique vermouth-making process, means they won't be able to produce a 2026 vintage. "That leaves us with a gap next year... where we have zero income," Lapalus laments. "It's more than that, though. I lost half my super. My super was that business." He's received countless offers of support, but the ongoing threat of more fires makes planning for the future incredibly difficult.
Lapalus evacuated his home near Chewton as the fire approached. While his home was spared, he received the devastating news that the Cool Stores were gone. However, he emphasizes, "I feel lucky compared to Henry of Harcourt, for example. They lost everything: the house, the business, the orchard, everything." Henry of Harcourt, a family-run cider business with over 25 years of history, faces an incredibly challenging future.
"It could very well spell quite a serious blow to Henry of Harcourt because I can’t go through the process of growing up trees for another 10 years to start up the types of varieties that we had,” cider maker Michael Henry said.
Conna Mallett, co-director of Castlemaine brewery Love Shack, also felt the devastating impact of the Cool Stores' destruction. "We had all of our stock there. Six weeks' worth of stock – 1500 slabs, 450 kegs ... all gone. That’s a pretty rough hit to take, especially as a small business who lives hand-to mouth most of the time." He estimates their losses at $200,000, including slabs, kegs, and packaging. But here's where it gets controversial... While some larger businesses might have comprehensive insurance, many smaller businesses, operating on tight margins, often lack sufficient coverage for such catastrophic events.
Mallett added, "We just have to start knuckling down and brewing seven days a week ... we want people to buy Love Shack but we can’t keep up with the demand ... so we might have to get a bit creative. But there’s a lot of people out there struggling more than we have. Lots of businesses stored their stuff [at Coolstores] and lost it all”.
Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns, chair of Business Mount Alexander, highlighted the significant loss of local produce stored at the Coolstores. "It’s staggering how much amazing local produce was lost [at the Coolstores]. That’s before we even get to the fruit.” Even Harcourt cafe Cool Store, located in a separate building, was destroyed by the fires. The ripple effects of this disaster are far-reaching.
Fowles Wines in Avenel, further east, faced a similar tragedy, destroyed by the Longwood fire on Thursday. The scale of devastation across Victoria is immense.
Amidst the despair, acts of kindness shine brightly. Castlemaine businesses like Superhero Banh Mi are offering free meals to those displaced by the fires. Others are encouraging direct purchases from affected wineries to boost their cash flow. In Melbourne, restaurants like Horn Please in Fitzroy North and Bibi Ji in Carlton are organizing fundraising efforts, donating $1 from every curry sold for the next week to support families, firefighters, and volunteers.
Other fundraising initiatives include the Victorian Bushfire Appeal (starting Tuesday), the Victorian Farmers’ Federation Disaster Relief Fund, and Blaze Aid. These initiatives represent the collective effort to rebuild lives and livelihoods.
Lapalus expresses gratitude for the outpouring of support. "It’s just humanity at its best. But, unfortunately, [the fire’s] not finished and there’s so many unknown things at the moment.” The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but the resilience of the Harcourt community, combined with the generosity of others, offers a glimmer of hope.
What more can be done to help these small businesses not only survive but thrive again? Should insurance companies be held more accountable in providing adequate coverage for these types of disasters? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.
