Vandals smash Black Saturday monument, shattering glass panel of fire relics
Vandals smashed the glass panel of Bendigo's Black Saturday memorial, which held items from a 2009 fire.
The Black Saturday memorial in Bendigo has been vandalised, with its glass panel smashed. The panel held household items including teacups, scissors and melted glass recovered from the ashes of the 2009 Bracewell Street fire.
That fire burned 341 hectares and destroyed 58 houses. Captain Michael Shay of the Marong CFA brigade called the vandalism very disheartening, in memory of those who fought the fire.
Carol Kane, whose husband Mick Kane died fighting the Bracewell Street fire, said it was disappointing people would damage the monument. The Ironbark memorial includes a plaque honouring Mr Kane.
The City of Greater Bendigo has condemned the act and ordered a replacement specialised toughened glass panel. They expect repairs within a month.
The council is safely holding the remaining recovered items until restoration is complete.
- 2009
- Fire year
- 341
- Hectares burned
- 58
- Houses destroyed
- Bendigo
- Memorial location
Why it mattersThe monument honours lives lost in one of Victoria's worst fires and the firefighters who fought it; damaging it dishonours their sacrifice.
AustraliaBendigo residents and CFA members lose a focal point for remembering the 2009 disaster, though the council is restoring it.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 d ago
