There are a number of anniversary events and services being held across our shire and in Melbourne.
Melbourne:
The Victorian Council of Churches and Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority invites all Victorians to a service being held to remember the people and communities impacted by the Victorian bushfires of early 2009.
Sunday 7 February, 11.45am for 12
Noon sharp at St. Paul’s Cathedral, corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne.
The service is timed to show support for recovering communities who will also be reflecting in their own way at local events.
Flowerdale
Moore’s Road Reserve – 11am
A community gathering for a short ecumenical service, followed by an informal BYO picnic for those who wish to stay on.
Kinglake Ranges Community Remembrance Service
Kinglake Football Ground – 5pm (arrive from 3.30pm)
The service will include:
• Words of reflection
• A minutes silence
• Release of butterflies for those that died
• A performance of “Lest We Forget” with Cam Tapp
• A Guard of Honour for those who helped us
Community members can help form a giant “Thank You” for aerial photographs as a means of conveying our thanks and gratitude to the nation. There will be a Picnic Dinner, and light live music. The oval will be closed at 8pm. A basic BBQ will be offered free of charge.
Shuttle buses will be provided from behind the Kinglake West Mechanics Institute and in front of the Kinglake Business Centre from 3.30pm, and after the close of the event. Disabled parking area will be signed on the day.
Families of the bereaved should contact the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement for additional details regarding the event. Telephone: 9265 2111
Kinglake Ranges – Church Services
Please note that all local churches will be holding services at their usual times.
St Peter’s Anglican Church, St Peter’s WW1 Memorial Church
Kinglake invites you to join us for a special service on the first anniversary of Black Saturday at 5pm, at our temporary Chapel (Cnr Whittlesea-Kinglake/Bald Spur Roads, Kinglake).
Further information: 9716 2042 or www.christchurchwhittlesea.org
St Marys Catholic Church
Main Road, Kinglake. 8.30am Sunday Mass (usual service), with recognition of the difficult year that has gone.
Further information: Fr Grant O’Neil – 9438 1159
Kinglake West Uniting Church
Remembrance Service at 10am.
A warm welcome for all to join with us on this very important day. A special service to reflect on the last year.
Open Church from 11am – all welcome to come and talk or sit in quiet and join with others. Refreshments provided.
1050 Main Road, Kinglake West (opposite Primary School)
Combined Christian Churches of Whittlesea/Kinglake
Black Saturday Anniversary Reflection, Support and Prayer Service 6.30pm February at 6.30pm, commencing with light refreshments.
Service begins at 7pm, which will include reflective music, and a time of sharing/testimonies/prayer.
Venue: New Horizons Church
28 Forest Street, Whittlesea.
All welcome – for more information contact Churches on Church 9716 3337.
Kinglake West
The Kinglake West Mechanics Institute and Reserves Committee will be opening the entrance gate to the “Garden of Reflection”, unveiling/commissioning of the Kinglake West CFA Memorial Bell, and putting on display the plans for the completed “Garden of Reflection” at 4pm on the reserve. All are welcome to attend.
Strath Creek
Commemorative Service at the Strath Creek Pioneer Reserve beginning at 8:45am followed by breakfast and a chat.
For catering purposes please email crc.admin@strathcreek.org or phone 5784 9388
Toolangi
Community gathering at the CJ Dennis Hall; 11.45am light refreshments, 12pm Big Screen broadcast of the State Service, followed at 1pm by a reflective community service. Gourmet luncheon provided by Wantirna
Rotary.
Campfire Church (Castella/Toolangi Home Group)
10am – time of reflection and meditation, some scripture readings and sharing time.
21 Campbells Creek Road, Castella – contact Jack 5962 9363.
