Literary Lunch - Author Adrian Hyland discusses the heroes of the 2009 bushfires

"This is a masterpiece of storytelling about the most terrifying natural disaster in Australia’s recorded history."

Kerry O’Brien

Adrian Hyland’s latest book Kinglake-350 records the experiences and heroism of those caught in the 2009 bushfires. The book has garnered warm praise from readers and reviewers alike.

Adrian’s two previous books, Diamond Dove and Gunshot Road are set in Central Australia and feature Aboriginal sleuth Emily Tempest. Diamond Dove was the winner of the Ned Kelly Award for First Fiction in 2007.

Adrian is a lecturer at La Trobe University.

When: Thursday 27 October 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Singed Sisterhood - six years on

In March 2009, just after the Victorian fires were extinguished an email (originally from an article from The Canberra Times) entitled Tips from a bushfire survivor, was circulated. The email was written by Liz Tilley who lost her home in the Canberra bushfire of January 2003. She writes:

A great relief effort is one that is based on the experiences of previous disaster situations, and yet, after the Canberra bushfires, we were so often ‘re-inventing the wheel’. I just can’t bear to see those victims in Victoria not benefit from what we learned in Canberra.
Canberra's bushfire victim's tips for a great relief
The Canberra Times Wed 11th February 2009

Liz and Karen Downing (also a Canberra Bushfire survivor and member of the Singed Sisterhood) have very kindly agreed to visit the Yarra Ranges in September and share their experience with our community.

Two events will be held:

When: Friday 4th September 7pm
Where: De Bortoli Winery, Pinnacle Lane, Dixons Creek
Cost: Free event
Drinks and Nibbles provided
Bookings essential phone 1300368333 or email

When: Saturday 5th September 1pm
Where: Healesville R.S.L 275 - 279 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Cost: Free event
A light lunch will be supplied
Bookings essential phone 1300368333 or email

Maryanne

2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report

We've ordered 3 hard copies of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report that should be arriving within a week or so. In the meantime, you can download a copy from the Royal Commission website:

2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report

Maryanne

Recognising local heroes

Knox City Council invites ALL residents to attend a Community Civic Appreciation function

When: Sunday 19th April 11am - 1pm
Where: Knox Civic Centre grounds, 511 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South

This is an opportunity to honour and acknowledge the bravery and service of local emergency services personnel who fought the recent Victorian bushfires, and served in the immediate relief and recovery phases.

Please note there will be no public parking available at the Civic Centre, with parking reserved for emergency response vehicles only. Public parking is available in the vicinity of the Civic Centre.

So everybody spread the word - digg, Twitter, Facebook etc.

Cheers, Maryanne