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Topic - Soapbox
18 January 2013 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Canberra firestorm. How do you believe the ACT should mark this occasion?
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dovesaway says Commemoration White Doves to honour the lives of the sweet souls taken so tragically.
one dove for each life lost by way of flock release, very spititual and comforting sight. 18 Jan 2012 at 1:17pm (89) (73)
rjpearce replied Those who have left us would surely wish us to avoid another firestorm hitting our suburbs....I suspect those who suffered the hardship of rebuilding their lives and loss of treasured possessions would also like to see some positive changes. How about finding and celebrating those who have made significant changes to their behaviours, properties (and to territory land) which will reduce the risk of damage homes and injury to people or animals. Endorsing smart proactive behaviour sets the scene for a smarter, wiser community. 25 Jan 2012 at 4:23pm (73) (74)
grumpy_fire says Dear Chief Minister, whilst many relate to the 18th of January 2003, you and they keep missing or neglecting the facts, the fires started on the 8th of January and continued to burn(and affect people) up to the 30th of January, during this time many volunteer firefighters both fom the ACT and NSW gave a huge amount of there time (for nothing) and those in the ACT a number lost homes cars etc. perhaps instead of concentrating on the 18th MAYBE you could recognise the event for what it was over 3 weeks of fire and firefighting and community being impacted on both the urban and the rural
- from a volunteer fire fighter from the ACT 18 Jan 2012 at 6:18pm (70) (67)
paane says Significant buildings get painted with coloured spotlights for other occasions, why not paint them orange at night and on the day set off orange smoke? 19 Jan 2012 at 10:48pm (74) (71)
amazed says Thank you grumpy_fire for raising some very important issues. Largely due to the ignorance of senior officials, residents of both ACT and NSW suffered on more than just those devastating hours of 18 January. Yes lives were lost that day and homes destroyed, but many worked for many thankless hours throughout the region, not just in Canberra. The village of Wee Jasper for example was severely threatened, their community fought for many weeks with help from all over NSW. This was an event that affected many and touched the hearts of the nation - don't show ignoraance by excluding those people from your decision making yet again.
20 Jan 2012 at 8:31am (78) (72)
captain says I agree with grumpy_fire. Some of us were firefighting for over four and a half weeks. with days as long as 41 hours to protect our livelyhoods and community. It is such a shame that most of the recomendations made will not see the light of day, and until this happens with the current bureaucratic hoops that "must be jumped through", in relation to hazard reduction and chain of command, this will all happen again, and maybe next time, much worse. I am proud to be a volunteer and do it for nothing, all we want is recognition and a silly pin is a poor attempt at this, the money spent on these should have been presented to the relevant brigades instead. I also wish that the lies and deception that have occured to cover up what accually happened during the first few days was not on the minds of the people that are tring to make a difference to a broken system. 22 Jan 2012 at 6:29pm (80) (67)
Magpie says grumpy_fire is totally correct! Apart from that I think a commemorative medal should be ‘coined’ and presented to all those people involved in bringing the ACT back to life i.e.: ACT Fire fighters, ACT Police, Bush Fire brigades and ActewAGL staff…I’m sure I probably missed some one but your government departments, surely, should know who the participants where. 25 Jan 2012 at 11:42am (79) (69)
Nadeem says In these 10 years, lots of new communities have joined Canberra and they don't know what happend 10 years ago. I suggest to have a documentary done on the these fires to show what Canberra was before these fires, how these fires destroyed the Canberra and in these 10 years how much Canberra has developed. Also this documentry should be then dedicated to all loved one who lost their lives in these fires and to all firefighters and volunteers who protected the livelyhoods and communities. 25 Jan 2012 at 11:49am (74) (69)
rubidiumstud says In Christchurch to commemorate the Feb 22 earthquake they have two power permanent spot lights that fill the sky with light. Perhaps something tasteful like this? It would let the whole of Canberra view it and recognised the devastating period.
20 Feb 2012 at 7:57pm (75) (198)
grumpyrealist says There is only one proper way to commemorate the worst tragedy to hit Canberra and that is for the Government to acknowledge the truth and apologise for not only their complicity of failed bush fire management leading up to the fire and indeed in the handling of the suppression but in particular the Government's disgusting actions following the inferno in protection of the failed bush fire managers. No medals, no wreath laying, no commemorative plaques, simply an apology to the victims of the disaster and the ACT community. Has anyone got the guts to be honest about it? 27 Feb 2012 at 6:03pm (76) (71)