Years ago, I drove up to Marysville, situated in the Yarra Valley, two hours north-east of Melbourne. It was a very pretty place then, but was caught up in the devastating bush fires of February 2009. Forty-per-cent of the Murrindindi Shire, of which Marysville is part, was burned, with the loss of 101 lives, and the destruction of homes, properties, animals and wildlife. The day the fire started, 7th February, is now known as Black Saturday.
I hadn’t been able to face going back but a month ago, it being ten years since then, I decided to see how the town was fairing now.
A memorial has been created as a space to reflect on all the ways the community and landscape were affected. Three pathways lead to a central gathering space.
A curved inscription wall has words and images that tell the story of the February 2009 events.
The 1000 Hands Project was designed for residents of the district, holiday-home owners, family and friends. They were invited to make an impression of their hands in clay. The tiles formed an installation, symbolising everyone working together to rebuild their towns. 
It’s a lovely space – very moving. I wandered around for awhile, then headed up to Steavenson Falls.
I loved this sign. I’d never given thought (science not being my best subject at school) to the fact that between earth and earth’s atmosphere, the amount of water remains constant. There is never a drop more, never a drop less. This is a story of circular infinity, of a planet birthing itself.
I wasn’t so sure about this sign. I was comfortable enough with the ‘Gentle hills’ on the way down, but coming back up nearly killed me.
It was a beautiful walk, though, through forests of Mountain Ash and along the Steavenson River.
I wasn’t keen on doing the long drive home that late in the day, so I stayed overnight at the Black Spur Inn at Narbethong, not far from Marysville.
I should have opted to stay in the hotel rather than the seemingly forgotten-about cabins miles away down the back yard, but you don’t know these things until it’s too late. Still, it was nice to be surrounded the huge trees and plenty of warbling magpies.
A glass of red in the sunshine finished the day.
Planning to the Nth 
Yes it is a wondetful reconstruction and beautiful place to visit
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So true, Michael.
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Beautiful to see communities coming together in times of trouble. I know it was both heart-wrenching and inspiring to see how our nearby town of Tathra rallied together after the recent bushfires there.
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Thanks so much for your feedback, Lesley, on your experience at Tathra.
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Thanks Coral it can be put back on the agenda of places to revisit thanks for the thoughtful heads up.
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Thanks, Nadine.
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Looks like a lovely day out. The falls are splendid. We visited Yellowstone Park a few years after the big fires and it was refreshing to see how things were renewing themselves.
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It’s a lovely waterfall, Darlene. I’m a bit addicted to waterfalls. Can’t pass them by. I have to make do with photos of Yellowstone at the moment but, definitely, one day I am going to make it there.
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I liked the idea of the 1000 hands statue demonstrating how people can work together to make improvements. The scenery around Marysville looks lovely.
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Thanks, Marion. The Yarra Valley and the national forest around it is very pretty. Lots and lots of wineries, if you’re into that.
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What a lovely day you had. Marysville is beautiful again (we were up there only recently) but I don’t think anyone will ever forget those bushfires. Have a great weekend.
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Too true. Thanks, Miriam.
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Wow, the curved inscription wall and the wall fall are beautiful in different ways. Thank you for sharing these places.
-May
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Such a pretty town: it’s easy to understand why people want to live there. I think the memorials are very touching in their simplicity and message. Thanks for the tour of a place I know about, but have only ever seen in disastrous photos.
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Thanks for reading, Jane.
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A beautiful looking spot. The memorials are so important for visitors that are unaware of the history of an area to have an appreciation for what has occurred. I hope to visit one day.
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So true, Glenys.
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So inspiring to read about the regeneration in the Marysville area Coral – I remember seeing the terrible devastation from the bush fires on the news coverage. A poignant tribute. Steavenson Falls looks a beautiful area. Amazing how green it is again 🙂
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Yes, it’s a lovely spot, Rosemary.
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I’ve resolved once again to get to Marysville and surrounds ( this year!) Your photos evoke serenity, sadness, interest and awe; what a beautiful place!
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Thanks, Suzanne.
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Beautiful place. Glad to see it coming back after such a traumatic episode.
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So pretty and the memorials are so touching I love the hand print one especially.
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