Fire Collection at Museum Victoria

Museum Victoria has begun work on a State Collection for the 2008/09 fire season, incorporating Black Saturday weekend.

The collection aims to help create a tangible and lasting historic record of the 2009 fires as a permanent tribute to the fire service and the communities that suffered the impact of the disaster. It will aim to capture aspects of the fires and evidence of their destruction, the emergency and community response, and the recovery and rebuilding process.

Members of the public have already contacted the Museum offering personal items for the fire collection. Museum Victoria is asking the public to consider contributing personal belongings that may be appropriate for such a memoriam. CFA is extending this request to all its members who may consider donating personal items, or equipment from the events of February 7 onwards, which could be considered a valuable addition to the State Collection.

Examples of artefacts include:

• Evidence of fire damage to CFA property, such as total fire ban signs
• Materials such as a CFA uniform used in the Kinglake or Marysville area
• Maps and fire management documents from fire control centres
• Evidence of your own personal memorials that you could contribute

Museum Victoria will put into place an assessment process in which curators determine which donations can be added to the State Collection, taking into account the desire to capture a range of stories from different regions.

Any offers of donation of bushfire-related material can be made by visiting the Museum Victoria website. Or alternatively phone on 8341 7111.