Cattle farmer Max Hobson identified as victim of Longwood bushfire

A cattle farmer has been remembered as "a great Australian guy" after he became the first victim of Victoria's bushfire emergency.

Max Hobson's remains were found in the fire zone of the Longwood blaze yesterday afternoon.

Police made the tragic discovery after they finally gained access to the area ravaged by the Longwood fire that had been almost impossible to reach beforehand.

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Hobson was found about 100 metres from his car, which had been ditched on an embankment with the back door wide open on Yarck Road at Gobur.

Hobson and his wife bred and sold Hereford cattle from a 101-hectare farm at Terip Terip, the next town east of Gobur, according to a February 2024 article from Herefords Australia.

The article shared he had "rediscovered the Hereford breed from a long-lost interest" after working as a mechanical engineer and project manager for 50 years.

Hobson's wife is safe after evacuating to Alexandra, according to The Age.

It's believed Hobson, aged in his 80s, had stayed behind to defend the farm and his cattle.

He likely fled after a wall of flames engulfed the Terip Terip property.

Andrew Embling had been mates with Hobson for more than a decade.

"Just a great Australian guy. Just a good guy, just a real good guy," he said of Hobson.

Embling's family lost properties in the fire, and now a dear friend.

"When you've got true blue farmers coming in and crying on your shoulder, it's hard," he said.

Premier Jacinta Allan today offered her condolences to Hobson's loved ones.

"My thoughts and condolences are with that person's family, their loved ones, the broader community too," she said.

"Indeed, everyone across the emergency services and fire-affected communities felt that loss when we heard the news yesterday afternoon."

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On Saturday, Victoria Police confirmed the safety of three previously unaccounted for people missing after their home was destroyed in the same fire.

Dozens of people have lost their homes, with more than 350 structures destroyed, and cattle and wildlife have been killed and injured, including at an animal sanctuary.

Across Victoria, almost 400,000 hectares have been burnt.

Allan warned that will increase.

Albanese and Allan saw the devastation first-hand and announced a multimillion-dollar relief package.

A combined $19.5 million from the state and Commonwealth has been put up to cover counselling, start the clean-up and provide emergency cash.

"This is a one-off, immediate payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child who've been severely affected," Albanese said.

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"We've got your back. Not just during this crisis, but through the recovery as well."

Allan today announced the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal would be launched online tomorrow, for community members wishing to show their support to victims of the disaster.

"Every dollar raised from this appeal will go back into providing support to fire-affected communities and how that funding is allocated will be guided by the advice we get from fire-affected communities," Allan said.

"I do encourage people who are looking at a way of providing support, the best way to provide that support is through this appeal."