By JESSE GRAHAM
A CAR cruise to remember victims of Black Saturday will return in 2015, after being previously cancelled due to a lack of funding.
The Black Saturday Remembrance Cruise will come back to the Yarra Valley on Saturday 7 February, with hundreds of cars – new and old – expected to flood the roads.
Organisers Troy and Stacey Kinsmore confirmed to the Mail the event was up-and-running for its fourth year, after receiving funding support from local businesses, such as Healesville’s RACV Country Club.
Mrs Kinsmore said the funding would cover the event’s public liability insurance, and that she was relieved the event would be going forward.
Though the event will not feature its usual large-scale raffle, local band Exploded View would take to the stage to perform once more and a remembrance ceremony would be held late in the afternoon.
The event is held on the first Saturday of February to coincide with the Black Saturday bushfires, but 2015 will be the first year since the fires that 7 February has fallen on a Saturday.
“We debated on whether to hold it on the anniversary next year,” Mrs Kinsmore said.
“Unfortunately, the few companies I’ve spoken to lately have the notion that everyone should actually be over the fires, so there’s not many actual remembrance ceremonies organised – we felt it was even more important to hold the event then.”
Mr and Mrs Kinsmore organised the event to pay tribute to their friend, Kate Ansett, who died in the 2009 fires, and the couple said around 500 cars on average have taken part each year.
Mrs Kinsmore said people taking part in the cruise had their own recollections and feelings about the fires, many of which they share on the day.
“People say it’s nice to sit in their car and have their own reflection,” she said.
“You’re in your own quiet space, and then you can share it with everyone else.
“We’re remembering what happened on Black Saturday – I think that’s important not to forget.”
As with previous years, the cruise will depart from 101-127 Beresford Road in Lilydale at 3pm, for an arrival at Healesville Railway Station at 4pm – the remembrance ceremony will begin at 5pm.
The cruise will wind through Yarra Glen, up to Toolangi and down through Chum Creek, though the route may be shortened depending on the weather.
All cars are welcomed to the cruise, and the $10 entry fee is donated to the Healesville CFA.
In its three years of operation, the event has raised around $25,000 for the brigade.
Mr and Mrs Kinsmore said the event may be cancelled if the fire danger for the day is declared severe, extreme or code red.
For more information, call 0421 321 203 or email smbrocky@yahoo.com.au.
