CFA finally recognises local firefighters killed

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 29 Dec 08

THE 10 brave firefighters who gave their lives in a bid to half a blazing inferno heading towards Tarrawingee way back in December, 1943, have finally won their due recognition.

At a special ceremony at the fire monument on the Great Alpine Road honoring the dead, the Country Fire Authority finally bestowed official recognition on the firefighters, two of whom were 14 year old boys.

Times were tough in December of 1943 at Tarrawingee.

It was war time and it was a drought year, and there were shortages of manpower, fuel and equipment to tackle any fires.

The big blaze had started near Bowser, and had almost been halted at Reedy Creek near Londrigan.

However, blustery conditions again turned the flames into an inferno and it took off towards Tarrawingee.

The local fire unit confronted the blaze and attempted to turn it around, but tragically, their truck became stuck in a drain and the firefighters were trapped.

By the time the fire was contained, 10 brave people were dead and a further 20 hospitalised.

This occurred at a time prior to the formation of the CFA, with the local community banding together to tackle fires, often using only beaters and sometimes branches.

Although a monument was built by the local community near the site where the tragedy unfolded, the disaster has never been officially recognised by the CFA.

Constant campaigning by families of the deceased firefighters finally paid off last week when the recognition was announced by CFA deputy chief officer, Greg Esnouf, on the 65th anniversary of the event.