Short Story: Wildfires in Australia, Children Put Down a Well

I read this story many years ago, possibly in a school reading book. It took place in Australia, and was about a wildfire that was threatening the communities. One part that I recall was of children being put down a well, in order to keep them safe. They were told that when someone came looking, they were to yell "Here we are down in the well, safe and sound".

Does this ring a bell with any of you?

What year was it read? This would help searchers.

I probably read it in the early 1970s, or a little before.

bump

Sorry I can't be of much help... would it have been an excerpt from a book, or an actual short story?
Could it have been a school reader from a series like this book? Monday morning is the worst : and other stories (144 p. Milton, Qld., Australia : Jacaranda Press Pty Ltd, 1976, c1973. Reading for Pleasure. Endeavour Reading Programme. Paperback.)
There's quite a few of those. You may be able to find covers by looking on Google Images by ISBN.

I think it was from a school reader, but I am not sure. It would probably have been printed in the USA, though.

It could be an excerpt from Ash Road by Ivan Southall. It's been a long time since I read it but it's about an Australian bushfire and the well incident sounds a bit familiar.

Edit: Just found the book on my shelf and it is definitely the right one - the scene you remember is Chapter 12 of the book.

Thank you so very much! I will put that on my wish list/TBR.