Community
26 September, 2024
New memorial approved
MOYNE Shire Council will undertake the process of honouring those who lost their lives during the Ash Wednesday bushfires with a new memorial plaque to be installed in Panmure.
At last week’s Special Meeting of Council, councillors voted unanimously to pursue the addition of the new plaque reading the names of those who lost their lives in the devastating bushfire of 1983 – which were among the worst bushfires Australia has experienced.
The names to be listed on the plaque, if consent from their closest living relatives is granted, are:
Gareth Stuart Anderson;
Petranella Alida Andreson;
Leslie Henry Alexander Russell;
Roy Francis Scroggie;
Ricky Francis Scroggie;
Mervyn George Thomas;
George Andrew Williams;
Gregory Norman Williams; and
Peter Ronald Clover.
The addition of the plaque was raised by a member of the community following a service held on the 40th anniversary of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, which was held in Panmure in February 2023.
While there is a plaque at the site, which was erected in 1988 by the Warrnambool Shire Council and the Victorian Farmers Federation, the plaque does not bear the names of the locals who lost their lives.
Cr Jim Doukas moved the motion, offering his full support.
“We’re finally starting to get some traction,” he said.
“We’ve reached out to the family members and got responses back.
“It’ll be a great addition to what’s down there in Panmure – a lot of the community people are waiting for this to be screwed to the stone in recognition because, even though what’s there now tells a story, there are still relatives of people that lost their lives.
“It was a horrific event and this will bring some sort of closure to those that are either relatives or friends of.”
Cr Daniel Meade seconded, offering his thanks to Cr Doukas and the members of the community who had raised the concept with council.
“It was a shocking event, and my condolences to families,” he said.
“It’s something you never get over.
“It’s pertinent to recognise those who passed in this event.”
Read More: local