Remembering those lost at the Tarrawingee fire
A granite memorial monument on the Great Alpine Road honours 10 firefighters who lost their lives on this day in 1943 during the Tarrawingee fire, near Wangaratta.
Message from CEO Natalie MacDonald and Chief Officer Jason Heffernan
It was a wind change 79 years ago that turned flames back upon firefighters who were creating fire breaks. Most firefighters escaped the grassfire in cars and on bicycles, however, five firefighters were burnt to death at the scene and five later died in hospital.
This unfortunate tragedy remains one of the greatest loss of firefighters in the line of duty in Victoria’s history and was part of the catalyst for the formation of CFA.
The monument stands near where the Wangaratta Fire Brigade unit was destroyed and the 10 firefighters overwhelmed.
It was erected by the residents of the district in grateful remembrance of the sacrifice made by Kevin Dunkley, Claude Hill, Andrew Guthrie, Theodore Lea, John Marks, Joseph Ryan, Norman Robinson, Edward Seymour, Godfrey Spencer and Arthur Wellington.
The monument was restored for the 75th anniversary memorial, with family and friends to again visit the site today to ensure their legacy lives on.
CFA will always remember these brave firefighters.
As a result of this tragedy, the government of the day acted to improve firefighting resources and equipment.
We can reflect on this positive legacy which reinforces why CFA invests in fire services training, better equipment and resources to achieve the goal that everyone comes home.
| Submitted by |
CEO Natalie MacDonald and Chief Officer Jason Heffernan |