Black Saturday anniversary sparks range of emotions
Victorian Governor Linda Dessau paid tribute to the people who fought fires on their own properties and CFA firefighters at a commemorative service marking the 10th anniversary of Black Saturday held on Friday.
The service and community reception was held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Friday.
Ms Dessau and her husband Anthony Howard joined Baw Baw Shire councillors for a tour of fire affected communities in Labertouche, Jindivick and Drouin West.
She spoke with Black Saturday survivors and community members, visited memorials at Labertouche and Jindivick and met with firefighters at Drouin West fire station.
“I have immense gratitude for those who fought the fires.
“We know people not only fought the fire when they were exhausted but continued to fight. They fought for weeks and they fought away from their own communities, at times when they didn’t know if their own properties had survived the threat.
Ms Dessau also acknowledged the people that worked behind the scenes, who stepped in and helped where needed and the heartfelt generosity of people.
“This anniversary has stirred many emotions. Some still find it hard to look back; many feel the pain when they reflect.
“Some people prefer to reflect quietly with family and friends; other prefer to gather together.
“You certainly felt it’s full fury here. Seventeen fires were reported in the Bunyip State Park in early February. On Black Saturday the fire breached containment lines and then spread rapidly.
“What is notable about this area was the weeks of firefighting you endured after Black Saturday.
Ms Dessau said the other thing that stood out in the aftermath of Black Saturday was resilience and recovery of communities.
“It is an ongoing process of recovery and it is hard work. It is in this community that I have heard it put very well in that recovery is a journey not a destination.
“We won’t forget Black Saturday and we won’t forget the risk that’s in our state. But we also won’t forget how people have come together and the lives that have been rebuilt,” Ms Dessau said.
Former Baw Baw Shire mayor Ruth McGowan was guest speaker at the service, speaking about her Black Saturday battle to save her family’s property at Jindivick and her immediate transition to a mayoral role to support a burnt out and hurting community.
Ms McGowan said she and her husband had designed their home to be defendable against fire and had prepared for fire as members of the local Fireguard group.
“We were prepared for what premier John Brumby said would be a catastrophic day. We knew we would be prepared for when it came, not if it came.
She said they had a lot of spot fires to put out but the fire came and passed over their house.
“The next morning I knew it was time to mayor up. It was amazing to see the machinery of local government kick into gear.
Ms McGowan acknowledged the amazing effort of shire staff in responding to the community, describing them as the unsung heroes in helping the community to rebuild.
“I know a lot of people will say that’s their job, they get paid to do it. But what I remember and what I saw was council officers going above and beyond to help our community.
“While emergency services were fighting the fire front, a new front opened up to deal with people who were shocked and traumatised, grieving and often angry.
Ms McGowan said shire staff assisted with clearing away piles of rubbish, restoring melted roads, providing rate relief and assisting in planning permits to help people rebuild.
“There will always be stories to be told. I hope there will always be ears to listen, warm hearts to ease the pain and arms to hug,” she said.
Mayor Mikaela Power said Black Saturday was a day that everyone remembers where they were and remembers the record-breaking weather conditions and ferocity of the fire.
“Through it all, we were the lucky ones. No lives were lost within our borders – a true miracle amongst the chaos and tragedy of Black Saturday.
“Although our land was scorched, our community displayed ingenuity, strength and resolve in the face of the disaster.
“The efforts showed by emergency services on that day were nothing short of heroic – we are forever indebted to them for protecting us.
“A decade on, we have come a long way. Localities have rebuilt, land is recovering, and new communities and friendships have formed,” Cr Power said.