She and husband Justus had hand-built the house and revegetated their 240-hectare property at Ruffy in Victoria's northeast but when fierce winds turned the fire front their way, decades of work was lost within minutes.
"The most heartbreaking impact is the loss of the big old trees, the ancient trees that had hollows and nesting places," Janet says.
"The old grandmother trees of the landscape have nearly all toppled over and been burnt."
As the couple wait on an insurance payout and rebuilding approvals, an upcoming art show has provided a welcome diversion and an opportunity for regeneration.
The nearby town of Euroa will hold its inaugural festival of recycled art over the Easter break, with more than 30 artists from across Victoria presenting work made almost entirely of reused materials.
There's art made from decommissioned machinery, beach debris, repurposed denim, recycled egg cartons and even fashioned from chip packets.
For Janet, the free exhibition is a chance to restart Ruffy's regular craft get-togethers. One of their projects is an installation constructed from leftover Landcare tree guards.
The guards are used to protect new plantings but often end up littering the landscape, she says.
Ironically, many were destroyed in the fires, the heat from the guards' burning plastic destroying the saplings they were designed to protect.
Local artist Helen Brook came up with the idea for the exhibition when Euroa's Rotary club wanted to revive its popular program of art shows.
Volunteering at an op shop in town, she saw the artistic potential of many items that couldn't be sold.
"There's so much mass production and waste, so much of what comes into the op shop we have to throw away," she says.
"But there are beautiful pieces and you think, 'why not create art with it?'"
Brook has been organising the exhibition since mid-2025, and while the bushfires have been a big hindrance - committee members had to jump out of meetings to defend their homes - they have also galvanised volunteers to make sure the event succeeds.
At nearby Upton Hill, Peter King baulks at being described as a sculptor but his 40-hectare property is dotted with about 40 of his welded scrap-metal artworks.
Not even he is sure of the exact number.
The fires burnt through his property too, destroying sheds and fences but his house and workshop are still standing and the sculptures are relatively unscathed.
King is entering two of these pieces in the exhibition, which he hopes will be a chance for people to discover local artists.
"People locally are just so clever, so artistic and capable, I'm not sure whether the community knows how lucky they are," he says.
Recalling community efforts to distribute hay and essential supplies in the weeks after the fires brings King to tears and he worries there are still locals who aren't faring so well.
Although his workshop survived, he's been too busy to create any new artworks since the fires hit.
"It's killed the creativity; you might have an idea pop into your head but you don't have time, you're doing too much other stuff," he says.
As she prepares to rebuild her home, Janet is also experiencing a mix of emotions.
An online crowdfunding plea started by a family friend aimed to raise $5000 to help with their costs but when almost 400 people donated, it ballooned to nearly $65,000.
"It's been really overwhelming, I read through the list of the people who donated, it makes you cry," she says.
In January amid scorching temperatures, multiple fires burnt across Victoria, leaving a trail of devastation.
About 1500 structures were lost, prompting a national response including funds for rebuilding and personal hardship.
At Ruffy and Upton Hill, recent rains have generated new growth, spouting vivid green in a landscape charred black by fire.
"It's quite distressing to see it wrecked but nature is strong and it will grow back," Janet says.
The RAGE Festival will be held in Euroa from April 2-8.
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