AIDA’s oral and pictorial archive of the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires was shortlisted for a 2024 Victorian Community History (VCHA) Award. The awards are presented by the Public Record Office Victoria and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and recognise excellence and originality in historical storytelling.
The bushfires that ravaged the coast from Eastern View to Aireys Inlet and on to Anglesea on 16 February 1983 were the most devastating event of the last century in our region. Quite apart from the terrible tragedy of loss of life, and the shock for many people of losing loved houses and possessions, the fires had a profound impact on everyone who lived through them. On the 40th anniversary of the fires, this project preserves some of the memories of those who were there.
AIDA secured funding for the project under the Community Initiatives Program of Surf Coast Shire. The funding was supplemented by a donation from the Corr family and from AIDA reserves. The project was completed by Alex Watkins, a video and audio producer who lives with his family in Aireys Inlet. The Victorian Community History Awards are very competitive and being shortlisted is significant recognition of the importance of our project and the superb quality of Alex’s work. We are delighted that Alex received a Commendation at the Awards Ceremony. The judges were very enthusiastic about the project and Alex will be invited to speak about it to the Oral History Association.
The link to this website for the project is https://ashwednesdayremembered.com.au/
Peter McPhee