By Jed Lanyon
Victorians are invited to have their say on a new bushfire museum and education centre to raise awareness of the history, stories and lessons of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, as well as other significant fires.
The state government is calling for input from bushfire-affected communities, as well as those involved in bushfire recovery and emergency management and First Peoples community members.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville said, “This museum will help bring together the experiences, knowledge and stories of how fire has shaped our state and how it will continue to impact us for generations to come.”
“We want to hear from all Victorians to help shape a new bushfire museum and education centre, because we want this to be a centre for everyone,” she said.
The project was recommended as part of the Bushfire Anniversary Advisory Group, chaired by John Brumby, which was established in the lead-up to the 10-year commemoration of the 2009 bushfires.
The consultation will seek community views on how a centre or program would function, possible locations if a permanent site was to be established, and what visitors would expect to see and learn during a visit.
The museum will also raise awareness of bushfires that have impacted Victoria, including the Ash Wednesday bushfires, the 1969 Lara fire and the 1939 Black Friday bushfires which burned around 20,000 square kilometres of land.
Feedback gathered during the consultation process will help shape the next steps for the project which is being led by Creative Victoria in consultation with groups including the CFA.
The Victorian Bushfire Centre public consultation is open until 15 August.
To learn more and have your say, visit https://engage.vic.gov.au/.
