The Weekly Advertiser Horsham

Haven ref lects

-

Community leaders have invited people to make the most of remembranc­e rails at Haven, south of Horsham, to acknowledg­e ‘someone or something’ special.

They have invited people to either consider or look beyond Black Saturday fires for which the rails were built, for reasons to attach a personal lock to the structure.

Haven Community Enterprise chairwoman Sue Exell said Governor Linda Dessau’s unveiling of the community rails at the weekend was a major highlight of commemorat­ive activities marking 10 years since fires ravaged the district.

“It went really well,” she said.

“The Governor and her husband Tony Howard both attached locks to the rails, followed by Horsham mayor Mark Radford and mayor of the time Bernard Gross.

“We then invited the public to do the same.

“It was just a special way of acknowledg­ing the occasion and all that’s happened and it was lovely to see the locks sparkling with their yellow ribbons.”

Mrs Exell said the rails were for more than simply reflecting on the bushfire and its impact in the community.

“They are for anyone who would like to remember someone or something special – and they’re not just for Haven people,” she said.

“The impact of the fire is just one of many occasions or circumstan­ces for which people might want to reflect.

“It’s for anyone who feels a need. We already have about 50 locks.”

Mrs Exell said commemorat­ive activities went well and reflected how the community had moved forward.

“The governor spoke beautifull­y, as did Cr Radford. Both spoke from the heart, which was lovely,” she said.

“It was an acknowledg­ement of a day that many people want to forget.

“It was life changing for many, especially people who lost homes.

“Just about everyone has a story about that day.”

The activities were part of statewide anniversar­y events surroundin­g the 2009 fires.

Of the 11 homes burnt down during the Horsham fire, seven were at Haven.

The toll also included Horsham Golf Club, several damaged houses and the loss of outbuildin­gs, sheds, fences, livestock and pets.

 ?? Picture: PAUL CARRACHER ?? MEMORIES: Archie Mackley, 98, adds his lock to Black Saturday remembranc­e rails at Haven.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER MEMORIES: Archie Mackley, 98, adds his lock to Black Saturday remembranc­e rails at Haven.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia