Today, 7th February 2010, is exactly one year since the horrific bushfires known as Black Saturday swept across my state in which 173 people died, and devastated Kinglake, Flowerdale and wiped out Marysville. Of the 700 or so homes and businesses in Marysville, only 5 were left standing. The temperature on that day reached 46.4º, today a year later the expected temperature is 29º - that's 17º cooler.
I have been back several times in those areas and on my first trip back to Marysville, I almost got lost - I didn't recognise anything - all the "landmarks" were gone.
Re-generation has begun although Lake Mountain is still an eerie, leafless wilderness as is most of Kinglake NP.
Kinglake restarted their farmers market (2nd Sunday of the month) in October and building has begun.
On my last trip it was just before New Year and there was a feeling of festivity in the air - trees were decorated with Christmas decorations, and the supermarket had re-opened on the site of the former car museum on Saturday 5th December - five months after the bushfires.
This once glorious tree stands at the corner of Pack Road and Murchison Street
The steps and handrail leading to the footpath is between Fraga's and the Bakery Cafe in Murchison Street.
Uncle Fred and Aunty Val's Olde Style Lolly Shop was a wonderful world of goody-num-nums at 8 Murchison Street. Julia Harris re-opened on the 10 July 2009 in a tin shed on the same site.
Today's Quote: Our passion are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes - Goethe.
Apologies for not visiting and commenting, I have been heavily involved in a case over the past few weeks and have had very little spare time and will endeavour to rememdy this.☺
18 comments:
Beautiful shots and a very nice tribute.
Good tribute. Some of those shots really are heartbreaking.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
It is hard for us not affected how it really is for those people. We stayed at Marylands in Marysville way back in 2001. It was a beautiful old hotel. I never read or heard about what happened to it in the fire. Did it burn down or was it saved?
I heard a report on this last night on BBC radio. How poignant to find these images here today.
It is good to see people rebuilding their lives after what happened on Black Saturday.
Thank you for the tribute to the lost and the looking forward to renewal.
Three Rivers Daily Photo
I was just wondering about your blog and then there was the portal thumbnail for it - nice to catch up on your blog!
Cheers BFG!
This is all so sad. But it is good to see new life rising out of the ashes!
How sad! People are certainly resilient though and it looks like they are determined to rebuild.
That was a touchy post and dramatic shot. nice one u did here.
Greetings from Bandung Indonesia.
The newest member of CDP.
Thanks for sharing these photos. Time passes quickly - had forgotten that it was this time last year.
«Louis» didn't recall having learned of this fire, but reading your post reminded him of the fire in the Oakland hills in 1992. Over 2,000 homes and some 27 lives were lost.
I drop by to wish you Happy Valentine's Day, BlossomFlowerGirl!
Hey BFG - I'm missing your photos and postings! Giddy Up! I hope is ok with you and yours!
Kind regards from friendly EAGAN daily photo
Did you see Prince William? I was on the Gold Coast watching him on TV.
This is so sad and moving! I remember these fires from the news so very well...
You know, we see this on the news here, but it's not until I see photos and hear from someone connected to it, that I realize the magnitude. Thank you for sharing.
Which part of Malaysia are you going? I grew up in Sarawak which is East Malaysia and I been to most part of West Malaysia.
If you can stand the humidity, you will like the place.
Bon voyage.
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