By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE’S Black Saturday memorial bench has been installed and is available for public use as the fifth anniversary of the fires draws nearer.
The memorial bench, which sits in Queens Park, was created by Healesville artist Ali Griffin and is comprised of a circular metal seat, with words from community members cut into the metal.
The bench was installed on Thursday 12 December and Ms Griffin said that, although she couldn’t fit everyone’s stories onto the bench, she hopes it accurately reflects the community sentiment about the tragedy.
“I remember … ” the stories begin, with different comments from community members etched into the metal.
“… The people I served and the mates beside me…”
“… Kangaroos trying to find something to eat…”
“… My sister phoning and crying and saying “you get out now!”…”
“… The generosity of strangers and the love of friends…”
These are just some of the words marked on the bench that were submitted by community members earlier this year.
There was no official opening event for the memorial but Ms Griffin invites residents and visitors to visit the space and reflect on how the Yarra Ranges has recovered in the last five years.
“The bench finally being installed is fantastic – it’s a nice milestone,” she said.
“It’s about the community and having them respond to it – I want them to feel like they can come and sit within it, that it’s inviting.”
Healesville’s memorial is one of many contemplative areas built to remember those lost in the February 2009 bushfires, with another unveiled on 25 November in Yarra Glen.
For more information on bushfire memorials around the Yarra Ranges, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
