Outside the Canberra Bushfire Memorial
Stromlo
Forest Park
Canberra Australia
ACT Bushfire Memorial
The ACT Bushfire Memorial acknowledges the impact of the 2003 bushfires, the many organisations and individuals who played crucial roles in the fire fighting and recovery efforts, and marks the process of renewal.
The Memorial is a journey from the day of the fire, through the process of recovery, to the honouring of memory. Located in regenerated fire-affected land, it provides a place for contemplation and reflection for many Canberrans.
[ACT Government crest]
In emergency ring 000
Venue management: 6256 6700
General Warning & Exclusion of Liability
Sporting activities at Stromlo Forest Park maybe [sic] dangerous and may result in injury or death to the person &/or property loss or damage. Users participating and spectators viewing these activities do so at their own risk. To the extent permitted by law, the Australian Capital Territory excludes all liability, including but not limited to liability for personal injury, death, property damage, property loss, and consequential loss or damage of any kind arising from the use of &/or entry to Stromlo Forest Park, whether in contract, by negligent act or omission, or any other tortious action.
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Plaques outside the Memorial
1. ACT Bushfire Memorial
[ACT Government crest with an additional logo: "building our city building our community"]
On Saturday 18 January 2003, the bushfires which had been burning in the hills to the west and south-west of Canberra for more than a week reached the perimeter of the city. Four people lost their lives, nearly five hundred homes were destroyed, countless pets and other animals were killed, and there was widespread damage to rural properties, parks, forests, gardens and urban infrastructure.
This memorial has been commissioned by the ACT Government to acknowledge the impact of the 2003 bushfires, mark the process of recovery, and thank the many organisations and individuals who played crucial roles in the fire fighting and recovery efforts.
The memorial is designed by Canberra artists Tess Horwitz, Tony Steel and Martyn Jolly and incorporates elements requested by the ACT community. It is a journey from the day of the fire, through the process of recovery, to the honouring of memory.
The entrance walls are made from the community’s salvaged and inscribed bricks which contain messages of grief and gratitude. Beyond the walls, a site framed by a grove of casuarinas contains red glass and metal forms that refer to the force of the firestorm and the lightning strikes that sparked the main fires.
An avenue leads to an amphitheatre enclosing a pond and bubbling spring. The glass columns bordering the pond contain details from photos provided by the community which speak of memory and human resilience.
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2. ACT Bushfire Memorial
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3. Dedication
Dedicated to
PETER BROOKE
DOUG FRASER
DOLLY McGRATH
ALISON TENER
Who died on 18 January 2003
And to the injured, the volunteers, emergency services personnel, charities, Bushfire Recovery Task Force and all others who helped survivors recover.
Bushfire Affected Families
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Wall transcriptions
Seven groups of inscribed bricks appear on the entrance walls. All the bricks in these walls were salvaged from houses that were lost in the fire.
Inscribed Bricks 1
| [Drawing of a fire engine and firie] JAMIE GUTH |
Our beautiful telescopes at Mt Stromlo destroyed |
“Look out” there’s a Fireball coming |
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| God with us! Clinton White |
THIS BLEAK BLACK SATURDAY |
[Drawing of the 74" dome on Stromlo] | THE CHALLENGE MAKES US STRONGER |
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| Valuing friends family and community |
WAILING SIRENS GREY-BLACK SKY HELL HEAT AND NO HOME |
Energy and Grief [drawing of flames] |
FAITH HOPE CHARITY |
Singed Sisters Tears, Laughter, Champagne |
| Stables flying embers wet towels |
[Drawing of a couple with pets, their house, sun, trees, and other people] [Chinese characters] human beings so generous and solicitous |
WE STOOD AND WATCHED AS HELL WENT BY |
2003 A family [Drawing of a burnt tree?] Day we saved Stromlo Peace Stan [?] |
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS |
| We still mourn the loss of our beautiful garden [Drawing of a family with two cats] |
VICTORIA TONY AND FRAN 18-01-03 |
“such is life!” | Tim Edmondson ORANA SCHOOL Groundsman . BD Teacher Kindy & Cl 7 parent |
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| NO BEAUTIFUL PINES HILLS BARE SOULS BARED |
GILBERT 5 McINNES 10 |
CENTRAL 6 JOGALONG |
Impermanence not grasping [Pawprint] – let go |
Inscribed Bricks 2
| I loved their old house ISAAC |
The White House 14 Tullaroop St |
We tried so hard …but so little time! Ted & Jason Cain 121 Gouger St |
53 Cargellico St Duffy |
Renfrey K S J S G [Drawing of house] Eildon Place |
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| “Graciousness” @ Eildon Place |
29 BURRENDONG ST |
KINGHAM FAMILY DUFFY 1980 – 2003 |
WINDSOR FAMILY 19 EILDON PLACE 1976 – 2003 |
PIERCES CREEK FORESTRY SETTLEMENT |
Lost Memories Katherine White |
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| [Child's drawing of house] Me | Mark & Barbara Shubert Stromlo |
From embers to ashes in 3 short hours |
STROMLO FORESTRY SETTLEMENT |
SARAH ELIZABETH WHITE 2003 |
LOST HOME ALL SAFE LIBBY WHITE |
TEARS ANGER 44 Darwinia HOPE FAMILY |
Alice [Fire drawing] |
| Jean & Barry Lambert Weston |
Danny Wolf & Suzi Bailey Stromlo Settlement |
URIARRA FORESTRY SETTLEMENT |
Jack and Babs Warragamba Ave Duffy |
A terrifying day in GIRALANG too |
J H & M LEWIS “BANKFOOT” 121 GOUGER ST TORRENS |
Elizabeth I am six years old [Fire drawing] |
Great friends in Mirrool St |
| 56 years of memories, our home of 30 years gone. John & Mavis |
RMB 113/15 Cotter Road Stromlo |
Ildiko, Livia and Melanie 8 Jemalong Street, Duffy Home for 30 years |
WE MISS OUR MISSION BROWN PALACE |
Bushy garden Bugger, ALL burnt. |
A Lifetime of Memories Gone |
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| 32 YEARS OF WONDERFUL CUSCH FAMILY MEMORIES [Musical notes] |
GRIEF FOR LOSS JOY FOR RENEWAL Trevor & Chris Wilson |
MEMORIES CHEZ GALLAHAR 16 MOOGERAH ST |
McLean Family 3 Calder Place, Holder (Our home!) |
teddy bear [Drawing of sun with passing cloud] ric Eildon Pl. |
All is Ashes Mae Hingee Eildon Place |
Inscribed bricks 3
| Alison | IN LOVING MEMORY OF DOUGLAS FRASER 1942 – 2003 (True Blue Sadly Missed) |
| DOLLY McGRATH |
Smiling Loving Forever John Houghton |
Inscribed Bricks 4
| To those people who gave Thank you |
FIRE FIGHTERS’ DEEDS ARE FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN |
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| Nature heals - Be inspired? G Wells |
L♥VE | Thanks neighbours for saving 3 Darwinia Tce Rivett -Fletchers |
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| THANKS FIRIES 2 OLDS + 3 DOGS [Handwritten] |
OUR SAFETY NET - A COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY |
Despair Repaired |
THANKS TO AFTER FIRE SUPPORT GROUP |
Thanks to the people who comforted |
| Box of home grown vegetables on front door step. Thanks M Cooper |
Thanks Scott For Saving Our Home |
SO GOOD TO BE HOME THE PHAMS |
In memory of Graeme’s bravery |
‘NAIEVE’ – Let down ex 11 Eppalock St [Handwritten] |
| LOST: memories, comfort zone, home |
GAINED: knowledge we can survive such a loss |
BUTTERFLIES Sarah Pham |
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| Inspirational Courage and Resolve |
…you realise that you can’t take “things” with you… - Jason Cain |
Supportive community loving family Milly Cooper Jessie Copeman |
Inscribed Bricks 5
| To Gomez Our Gentle Friend Sorry |
FOR BEAUTIFUL FLO BEFORE FLAMES |
Poppy – we all love you [Drawing of dog's face] |
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| We miss your sparkle Pickle |
Fluffy from Duffy |
In loving memory of Dougal, Sheba, Dido, Midas, Gemma, Louise, Harley and Zoe |
dear Wags we miss you – oh, for a cuddle [Drawing of bone] |
| IN MEMORY OF ELLY [Drawing of horse] |
Jase 42 | STORMY RUBY LACY Leah’s Girls |
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| Khan & Lacey Great mates in the paddock 18/01/03 |
We miss you Shandy and Coco! [Drawings of cat and dog] |
Inscribed Bricks 6
| PHILLIPS FAMILY 122 DIXON DRIVE |
POULOS FAMILY 9 BREWSTER PLACE |
Four Generations lived here |
7 BREWSTER PLACE DUFFY |
Gift Echoed Memories Keepsakes |
| LOST POSSESSIONS AND MEMORIES - A NEW BEGINNING THE NERNAGH FAMILY |
BOB & CLAIRE’S FIRST HOUSE |
Sudden Violent Loss Burnt Memories |
ALL GORN PAYNE FAMILY |
JOBSON FAMILY 116 DIXON DRIVE HOLDER |
| IN MEMORY OF JOAN VAUGHAN WILLIAMS |
“EL PADDOCK” 5 EPPALOCK ST DUFFY |
Treasured Memories of Home |
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| No roof, but my house [Initials] |
Memories Lost Empty Tired Beginning |
Inscribed Bricks 7
| The unknown was filled with so much fear |
Not Victims. Survivors |
Jessica [Drawing of butterfly above the flames] |
Callum, it’s here Stewart, Iris, Moira |
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| I miss our lovely blue mountain forests. I mourn the lost wildlife. - Susan N. |
[Drawing of the 74" dome on Stromlo] | I now know my neighbours! JT |
BONFIRE of the vanities [Drawing of fire] |
Heirlooms and Treasures All Gone! |
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| Terrified Devastated Empty Numb |
Thanks to all who helped us recover from our day in Hell. Bernie W. |
[Drawing of shed]Once and future shed [Drawing of burnt shed] |
Renewal to a better place |
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| Eloise | Scared, Worried, Frightened. Danielle Cribb |
WE MISS OUR PINE FOREST |
Fire can help people but can kill people too [Japanese characters] Song & Yang |
We all help each other ♥ |
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| SCREAMING WIND RED DARKNESS |
LUCK BEATS MANAGEMENT |
[Cross] “Living God’s Grace” [Sun] |
WIND TOO HOT TO BEAR TORE A SCRUNCHY FROM MY HAIR |
nothing is permanent - but love and kindness endure |
Burnt pine leaving a scent of nature’s own |
| The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on… EFR |
It’s raining fire 18th January 2003 Jo Forestier |
“SHIT HAPPENS!” D. Ekelund |
“Next time - Drink the Bastard!” (Good Wine) Peter Edwards, 2003 |
I WAS HERE JAN 18TH 2003 FRAN IFOULD |
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| AFTER THE FIRESTORM - ADRIFT - CUT OFF FROM THE PAST - ANXIOUS |
THE MEMORY OF THE TREES |
DIGGA & ELKE STROMLO |
The POWER and the FURY |
No more fires please Maddy Pham |
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Return to the ACT Bushfire Memorial walk
