Light through the darkness

IT’S been five years since Black Saturday and memories of Victoria’s blackest day are still strong.
In the lead up to that fateful day, we knew it was going to be bad, but no one could be prepared for what happened.
I remember driving through blackened and destroyed towns not long after the fires had moved on.
It was heartbreaking to see but the strength of community shone through.
This week we look back on that day, what’s happening now, and what we have learnt.
We don’t mean to reinvigorate memories of the nightmare, but Black Saturday cannot be forgotten.
It will long be remembered as an unforgettable moment in our history.
With all the heartache, lessons were learnt – and hopefully, we will never go through something as devastating.
So what has happened in those five years?
We’ve had a Royal Commission, made some changes, rebuilt, moved in, and moved on and sought closure.
It hasn’t been easy, it never was going to be – but the love and support of the bushfire-affected communities provided a light through the darkest times.
Friday marks the anniversary; let’s use this time to remember and reflect on those we lost and those who fought for our survival.
Melissa Meehan
Editor