A solemn memorial one year on

A solemn memorial one year on

31 December 2020

Flags are flying at half-mast in Littleton Gardens in Bega today to acknowledge the first anniversary of the start of the Black Summer bushfires in our Shire.

“The Black Summer bushfires had a devastating effect on our community and our shire as a whole,” Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said.

“People right across the Shire have been affected, some more than others, and the recovery process is ongoing.

“While the bushfire emergency lasted for 64 days, affecting  people, villages and localities across the Shire at different times, we paused today, twelve months on from when the bushfires first started to directly impact our community, to reflect on what happened and take another step in the healing process.

“While we still have a long way to go, Council is committed to working alongside the community and our partners to continue doing everything possible to assist in the recovery journey.”

The flags were lowered this morning by Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick; General Manager, Leanne Barnes; Director of Community, Environment and Planning, Alice Howe; and NSW Rural Fire Service Far South Coast District Manager, Superintendent John Cullen.

Support services

If you require Mental Health support, please call the 24-hour Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. If you need assistance with urgent temporary housing, please phone Link to Home on 1800 152 152. The Bega Valley Bushfire Recovery Support Service will be closed from Monday 21 December 2020 and reopen on Monday 4 January 2021. If you require bushfire recovery support during this period please call 6499 2345, leave a message and one of our case workers will be in touch.

Photograph:

1. NSW Rural Fire Service Far South Coast District Manager, Superintendent John Cullen and Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick lowered the flags to halfmast in Littleton Gardens this morning. 2. Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick; Bega Valley Shire Council Director Community, Environment and Planning, Alice Howe; Bega Valley Shire Council General Manager, Leanne Barnes; and NSW Rural Fire Service Far South Coast District Manager, Superintendent John Cullen in Littleton Gardens this morning.

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