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Recurring History of Bushfires in Victoria
Image: Digital Photograph - Man with Burned out Strezlecki Ranges Behind Him, Won Wron, 1914
Source: Museum Victoria
In February 2009 Victoria experienced the most deadly bushfires in Australia's recorded history. The fires reached their peak on Black Saturday, 7th February, and took an unprecedented toll: 173 people lost their lives and 414 were injured.
The Black Saturday chimney documents the impact of the February 2009 bushfires. It also witnessed the Black Sunday bushfires that burnt through Kinglake on 1st February 1926, and so represents the long and recurring history of bushfires in Victoria.
While bushfires occur every year, some have a devastating impact on communities and landscapes. The most catastrophic of these bushfires have been named after the day of the week in which they occurred; for example: Black Thursday 1851, Black Monday 1865, Black Sunday 1926, Red Tuesday 1898, Black Friday 1939, Ash Wednesday 1983 - and now Black Saturday 2009.
Bushfires threaten life and property but also regenerate Victoria's eucalyptus forests. They are a natural and essential feature of our ecosystem. The fire-dependent eucalypt forests of Victoria, together with drier and more extreme weather conditions, make this the one of the most fire-prone places on earth.
As climate is becoming more variable and more people are living closer to bushland, fire will continue to impact our lives and shape our history.
Related Narratives:
Collecting & Rebuilding the Black Saturday Chimney
'The Uplands' Homestead, Kinglake, 1890s-2009
Stories Revealed Through Bricks & Mortar
Victorian Bushfires Collection
Healesville Primary School Bushfire Artworks Collection
References:
The Romsey Australia website, Summary of major Bushfires Since 1851, http://home.iprimus.com.au/foo7/firesum.html, viewed 25-11-2009.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 11 - 20) 42 items
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Decking Plank - Mount Disappointment, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
This outdoor decking, from Bill Coppinger's home at Mount Disappointment lost in the Kilmore East Bushfire on 7 February 2009. It was found near the swimming pool. The area of the deck ...
From: Mt Disappointment, Australia Images: 1 -
Melted Glass - Mount Disappointment, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
Found in the wreckage of Bill Coppinger's kitchen area, this mass of slumped glass with debris embedded in it is believed to be the remains of two glass jars - one smaller than the othe ...
From: Mt Disappointment, Australia Images: 1 -
Bucket - Mount Disappointment, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
This bucket was one of three located in a line along Bill Coppinger's shed on his property at Mount Disappointment. The original wire handles were burnt off, but each was still holding ...
From: Mt Disappointment, Australia Images: 1 -
Kitchen Crockery - Kinglake West, 07 Feb 2009, (Bushfire Damaged)
This single fused and partly melted piece of crockery includes the remains of at least two ceramic bowls and an egg cup which were found in the remains of the kitchen of the house at 35 ...
From: Kinglake West, Australia Images: 1 -
Alloy - Melted Wheel Section, Haven, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
Large lump of melted metal, probably aluminium, from an alloy wheel. It came from the remains of a camper trailer which was stored at Bob and Ercil McIlvena's property at Haven, near Ho ...
From: Haven, Australia Images: 2 -
Alloy - Melted Wheel Section, Haven, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
Large lump of melted metal, probably aluminium, from an alloy wheel. It came from the remains of a camper trailer which was stored at Bob and Ercil McIlvena's property at Haven, near Ho ...
From: Haven, Australia Images: 2 -
Beer Bottles - Glass, Fused, Marysville, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
Lump of melted clear glass, formed from the destruction by fire of two glass beer bottles. Found in the remains of Lynne Stone's home, destroyed at Marysville by the Murrindindi Bushfir ...
From: Marysville, Australia Images: 1 -
Wine Bottle - Green Glass, Marysville, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
Lump of melted green glass, formed from the destruction by fire of a glass wine bottle. Found in the remains of Lynne Stone's home, destroyed at Marysville by the Murrindindi Bushfire o ...
From: Marysville, Australia Images: 2 -
Wine Bottle - Green Glass, Marysville, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
Three pieces of melted green glass, formed from the destruction by fire of a glass wine bottle. Found in the remains of Lynne Stone's home destroyed at Marysville by the Murrindindi Bus ...
From: Marysville, Australia Images: 4 -
Lid - Coffee Pot, Marysville, 07 Feb 2009 (Bushfire Damaged)
Burnt red enamelled metal lid, from the destruction by fire of a coffee pot. Found in the remains of Lynne Stone's home, destroyed at Marysville by the Murrindindi Bushfire on 7 Februar ...
From: Marysville, Australia Images: 2
