Prince hears of Black Saturday horrors

21 Jan 2010, 11:12 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Prince William has indulged in two great Australian traditions - backyard cricket and a barbecue - and then watched a spot of tennis at the Australian Open.

Prince William has indulged in two great Australian traditions - backyard cricket and a barbecue - and then watched a spot of tennis at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

But the third day of his visit down under was mostly a more sombre affair than his time in Sydney, with the prince offering support to the victims the Black Saturday bushfires that killed 173 people and injured 400.

"My family, along with millions around the world, followed the events of last February with a sense of horror, which slowly, as the days passed, turned to one of deep, deep admiration for the steadfastness of the Australian people," he told an Australia Day reception at Government House, which was attended by guests including former prime minister Malcolm Fraser and Victorian Premier John Brumby.

"The stories of suffering I have heard today inevitably made me think about the ongoing tragedy of Haiti. Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone there."

The prince said it was a long-held dream to visit Australia - a country for which both his parents held a great affection.

William said Australia made a profound impression on his mother, the late Princess Diana, when she visited in 1996.

"My father (Prince Charles) had such a great time here at school - and is still misty-eyed about an immortal moment on Bondi, when an Australian beauty planted a smacker on his cheek," said William, who was only nine months old last time he was in Australia.

"It's good to see this tradition is still continuing."

Then there's his brother Harry, "that other guy with ginger hair, who just never ever stops banging on about you, and how I haven't lived because I haven't been to Australia, blah, blah, blah," he said.

Receiving a briefing from Mr Brumby and bushfire recovery chief Christine Nixon in Whittlesea earlier on Thursday, 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, aged six, of Mernda, was quick to offer her impression of 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 William shook her hand.

"He's got lovely soft hands," she said.

On Thursday evening William arrived at Rod Laver Arena as world No.1 Roger Federer was about to win his second round match.

He applauded enthusiastically as Federer marched toward a straight sets win over Romania's Victor Hanescu.

King Roger - a regular performer in front of royalty at Wimbledon - welcomed the second in line to the British throne to Melbourne Park.

"Your royal highness, from the tennis world, thanks for coming," Federer said.

At a news conference Federer said he was used to VIPs watching him play.

"But this one tonight was extremely special and a pleasure of course playing in front of him," he said.

"Where he comes from, he knows tennis, Wimbledon is big, so for me it's a big honour he came to watch me."

William stayed on to watch Casey Dellacqua win her first set against Croatian Karolina Sprem before he slipped away to a warm ovation from the crowd.

His flying three-day visit to Australia ended on Thursday night, so he won't have a chance to see British players Andy Murray and Elena Baltacha in their third round matches on Friday.

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