At the Little Yarra CFA, an explosion of colour has taken place.
The dark green rosebush at the base of the brigade’s sign now blooms with clusters of peach, pink and orange, its frilly petals fanning outwards.
But these roses aren’t just decorations – they’re known as the Firestar Rose, planted as a tribute to those affected by the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
Little Yarra CFA captain Peter Cookson said the firestar rose was a potent reminder of the widespread damage and loss caused by the Black Saturday fires.
“It was very big what happened, and it’s there as a reminder that we had buddies that went out to fight the fire.
“We had families that lost everything and people lost lives, it’s just a reminder for everyone,” Mr Cookson said.
The firestar rose is considered the official rose of the CFA and was developed after the bushfires by Knight’s Roses.
Mr Cookson said the rose was similar to national remembrance events such as Anzac and Remembrance Day in the way it’s designed to pay tribute to those who sacrificed themselves to stop the spread of the bushfire.
“Every year you have Remembrance Day and you have Anzac Day to remember the fallen at wars and that, so it’s something for CFA to remember Black Saturday.”
The money earnt from purchases of the roses from Knight’s Roses website go directly back into the CFA to help support brigades.
The Black Saturday bushfires are largely considered as the worst in Australia’s history.
The Black Saturday disaster killed 173 people and displaced a further 7000, burnt over 450,000 hectares of land and destroyed 3500 buildings including more than 2000 houses.
It was so significant that the fires prompted a 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission to analyse the cause of the fire, and resulted in a shift in approach from defending homes to leaving early when threatened by a fire.
Mr Cookson said it was important people don’t get complacent and stay wary of the threat of bushfires.
“You don’t want to become complacent with things, a lot of the people on that day didn’t think it was gonna happen.
“It’s amazing, people don’t realise how strong fire can be once the wind comes. It can be miles away and then in no time it’s on top of you,” he said.
In September the CFA launched its statewide Get Fire Ready initiative at the Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Station, and across the month of October, more than 530 CFA brigades hosted events to help communities prepare for the summer season.
Marysville CFA second lieutenant Glen Fiske was in Marysville fighting the devastating Black Saturday bushfires when he lost his wife Liz and son Dalton.
Speaking at the Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Station, he pleaded with residents living in high fire risk areas such as the Dandenongs and the Yarra Ranges to prepare and act early to avoid disaster.
“We just hope that no one ever sees what we saw, it was truly the biggest fire that I’ve ever seen,” Mr Fiske said.
He expressed concern at those ignoring advice and not taking the fire risk seriously.
“It troubles me when I see areas where people obviously aren’t helping themselves. You’ve got to help yourself,” Mr Fiske said.
As we head into what’s predicted to be a dangerous fire season, the symbolism of the firestar is twofold.
Not only does the mandarin tinged petals offer a beautiful yet sombre tribute to those who lost their lives – it’s also a reminder to be ready for a bushfire this summer.
