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Ash Wednesday MemorialPrint Page 
The wood sculpture commemorates the volunteers who served during the Ash Wednesday bushfires in February 1983.
The Ash Wednesday bushfires, known in South Australia as Ash Wednesday II, were a series of bushfires that occurred in south-eastern Australia on 16 February 1983, which was Ash Wednesday. Within twelve hours, more than 180 fires fanned by hot winds of up to 110 km/h (68 mph) caused widespread destruction across the states of Victoria and South Australia. Years of severe deought and extreme weather combined to create one of Australia's worst fire days in a century. The fires were the deadliest bushfire in Australian history until the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.
In Victoria, 47 people died. There were 28 deaths in South Australia. This included 14 CFA and three CFS volunteers firefighters who died across both states that day.
Location
| Address: | Mount Gambier Road, Centennial Park, Millicent, 5280 |
|---|---|
| State: | SA |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.597598 Long: 140.357765 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Sculpture |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Disaster |
| Sub-Theme: | Fire |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 16-February-1983 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 16-February-1983 |
| Artist: | Anthony "Ant" Martin |
Dedication
To Commemorates the Volunteers who gave willingly
of their time and service in a day of devastation.
ASH WEDNESDAY
16th February 1983
"The day when a fiery inferno enveloped hundres of houses and farms,
thousands of sheep and cattle, pine plantations, even family of friends"
Project by Millicent Community Builders
