Black Saturday State Commemoration marks 10th anniversary of disaster

It was seven weeks after the Black Saturday bushfires ­des­troyed almost everything, when Marysville widow Kathy Rowe finally heard a distinctive sound that was proof for hope after the tragedy.

It was seven weeks after the Black Saturday bushfires ­des­troyed almost everything until Marysville resident Kathy Rowe finally heard the distinctive sound of a magpie warbling from the charred and leafless bush.

In the months and years to come, the honeyeaters return­ed too, then the bower birds.

It was proof to this survivor that amid the white earth and twisted iron, hope remained.

She said a decade since Australia’s worst natural disaster, almost every species was back.

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“It helped me realise … that we can all recover,” Dr Rowe said.

The paediatrician shared her story for the hundreds gathered at the State Commemoration marking the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.

Her husband, Ken, was among the 173 people killed when fire tore through more than 400,000ha of land, razing homes, farms and businesses on February 7, 2009.

Black Saturday widow Dr Kathy Rowe speaks to the crowd. Picture: Ian Currie

The main street of Marysville after Black Saturday. Picture: Mark Smith

Guests arrive at a memorial service at the Melbourne Exhibition Building for the 10-year anniversary of Black Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Premier Daniel Andrews were among the dignitaries to hear how, in the 10 years since, ravaged communities had somehow found a way to pick up the pieces.

Flowers were positioned around a map of Victoria to represent regrowth and ­rebuilding.

More than 78 communities — and more than 320,000 people — were affected.

Victorian Governor Linda Dessau said the numbers were a stark reminder, but still told us so little.

“Figures alone never tell us that the houses lost were in fact homes,” she said.

“Homes that sheltered not only families and possessions but the precious mementos and memories of family life.

“That the community buildings that were razed were in fact meeting places — in many instances, the beating hearts of their towns or their regions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the service. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

An attendee wipes a tear as names of the deceased are shown during the state commemoration. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

CFA chief Steve Warrington pays his respects. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

“Those figures alone can never tell us about the unique lives of those who were lost — their achievements, their hop­es and their dreams, the place each one held within their families, their schools, their workplaces, their local clubs and their wider communities.

“The numbers can certainly never fully impart to us the ­unspeakable sadness for those who loved and were loved by them … the irreplaceable loss, and the continuing heartache.”

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Despite the big attendance on Monday night, scores of seats remained empty inside the Royal Exhibition Building — perhaps a sign that a decade after such cruel heartache and loss, ­reflection was still far too hard.

“For some, it is too hard to look back,” Ms Dessau said.

“Others would prefer to stay within the nurturing ­embrace of their own community at this time (while) some have chosen to come to find comfort in gathering here.

“No one response is right or wrong.”

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