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A Bushfire Memorial.
On the 7th of February 2009 Victoria was devastated by what was to become known as the Black Saturday bushfires. The destructive firestorm killed 173 people, destroyed more than 2000 homes and many more buildings, businesses, wildlife and livestock were lost.
One particular community that was particularly hard hit was that of Strathewan, located just north of Melbourne’s outer suburban fringe (about 15 ks from our house) and not that far south of Kinglake (that was also devastated by the fires), Strathewan had a population of approx 200 people and on that terrible day 29 people lost there lives and more than 80 homes were destroyed.
Now this post is about remembering those killed and affected by those fires, and one of moving on but not forgetting the tragedies that occurred there.
To that cause a local blacksmith just five days after the blaze ripped through their community, suggested forging a tree to remember the victims. Once he started Blacksmiths from around Australia and indeed the world offered their help by giving their time and skills into crafting a memorial tree.
Now complete and standing in a Strathewan reserve, that tree weighs two-and-a-half tonnes, it stands 9.8.metre high and is made of copper, bronze and titanium. The tree features more than 3,500 intricate and individually forged leaves, those leaves are inscribed with the names of people who died, as well as messages of hope for those left behind.
I visited the tree and memorial area in February this year to pay my respects.
The memorial area was still being developed but what was there was very moving, particularly reading a number of inscriptions that had been placed there permanently in stone.
The leader of the project, blacksmith Amanda Gibson, said it was emotional seeing the range of tribute messages that were inscribed on the leaves.
“Perhaps when people are looking into the foliage of the tree, they will reflect on the inscription that is written on one of the tree's three branches, this particular branch holds leaves that are dedicated to children lost in the fires”.
On the branch it reads, ”In memory of the children who were denied the pleasure of gazing at this tree”
“It is a lasting reminder that fire holds immense power to create as well as destroy”.
Col.
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The worst day above ground, is a whole lot better than the best one under it. Live life to the fullest while you can.
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Topic: A Bushfire Memorial.
