Victorian Fires: One Year On
On Sunday, it has been one year since the devastating “Black Saturday”. On February 7th 2009, fire raced through the rural communities in Victoria like the full power of a furnace, devouring whatever it touched, including 173 precious lives. The loss of property was bad
enough but the death of so many people brought grief to countless families and whole communities. Gippsland, Marysville, Kilmore, Wallan and the Kinglake Ranges were all touched by devastation.
Ernest Horth, a BCA Councillor, and his wife Ida have been working with the survivors since Black Saturday. Ernest points out that the fires in Victoria are not something that the average Australian is able to understand easily. The grief and personal loss, combined with the slow process of rebuilding their lives create a feeling of hopelessness. It is going to be a long and slow road to recovery for those involved. “Those that haven’t been through the fire have to be sensitive to the fact that this recovery doesn’t happen in five weeks, six months, a year” he says. “It’s going to take quite a long time for these people to get over it.”
Our prayers are with these communities as they deal with the hard memories and realities of life that the anniversary will present for them. Please join us in praying for healing and comfort for those who are grieving at this time.
