It was nothing like the March 2013 tornado in north east Victoria that ripped through parts of Mulwala and especially the outskirts picking up caravans and causing extensive damage.
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But last Wednesday’s late afternoon storm in Mulwala, which produced heavy rains and a power black-out for over an hour was tornado-like as rooves were damaged and trees uprooted.
Popular amusement park Tunzafun copped thousands of dollars worth of damage to shade sails over its mini-golf and picnic areas, and a strong rubber-like canvas roof structure over the old dodgem car area was also severely damaged.
“I’m disappointed, with all the work the volunteers put in then mother nature hits back,” volunteer George Jenkins told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“But we’ll bounce back so Tunzafun is back in top shape, ready for locals and visitors to again enjoy as soon as we’re allowed to re-open.”
Restrictions related to the COVID-19 crisis have forced the closing of Tunzafun at a time when a group of volunteers spent thousands of voluntary hours preparing for the introduction of several brand-new special rides in new surrounds.
Many branches in the Tunzafun carpark came down but like the true warriors they are, the amusement park’s volunteers were on the job tidying up.
The tornado-like front of the storm also caused damage to trees in Bayly Street including one inside Australian Munitions and some big branches and two big trees in Lucan Street.
“I saw a flash of orange and heard a great big thump,” resident Barry Jackson, who, incidentally built Tunzafun some decades ago, said.
“The tree came down. My wife and I were inside. It just missed the window. There was heavy rain and I thought ‘Thank God we’re not in it!’ Then the tree came down which we saw, sitting just inside the window.”
Some nearby housing in Green Street also suffered roof damage.
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