FORMER volunteer fireman and Inglewood history buff Howard Rochester has called for a public memorial to be erected to the devastating 1965 bushfires that tore through the district.
Mr Rochester was among firemen who tackled the January 17 blaze that destroyed more than 30,000 hectares between Inglewood and Rheola, claiming two lives and seriously injuring four members of the Bridgewater brigade,
He said last week’s anniversary of the fires and the death of Inglewood brigade member Alan McKean had brought back memories of the horrid day.
“Many people living here today have no knowledge of the severity of the tragedy that befell our district in 1965,” said Mr Rochester, who was on the same fire truck as Alan..
“It would be fitting to have a memorial plaque erected to honour those who died and those who survived and the fireman for their efforts on that fateful day.”
Mr Rochester said he would raise the idea of a memorial cairn with several Inglewood organisations.
“I think we should do a bit more and even if it’s more than 60 years later, to permanently remember the day would be fitting,” he said.