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A monument at Tarrawingee, near Wangaratta, pays tribute to 10 firefighters who died nearby when a firefighting vehicle was engulfed by flames during a fast-moving fire on 22 December 1943.
The pain it would have caused the local community was deepened as two of those killed were 14-year-old boys.
On the 65th anniversary of the tragedy, descendants of the deceased and fire service members gathered at a memorial service to pay tribute to and remember these men and youths who gave their lives protecting the community.
During the service Deputy Chief Officer Greg Esnouf announced that the names of these men are now listed on CFA’s new Firefighters' Memorial website - recognition that is pleasing to their families.
The fire, which occurred before CFA was established, happened in a drought year and during war time when manpower, fuel and equipment were in short supply. It started near Bowser and had nearly been halted at the Reedy Creek at Londrigan, but under blustery conditions the fire grew in size and fury as it headed towards Tarrawingee.
The Wangaratta unit become stuck in a drain and was caught in the flames. By the time the fire was contained 10 men were dead and another 20 were hospitalised.
This was a time when much firefighting was done using beaters and tree branches. The monument, where a remembrance service is conducted every five years, was erected by the community in 1944.
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