Ms GREEN (Yan Yean) -- I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for the Arts, and the action I seek is for him to support the preservation and archiving of a truly remarkable collection of 47 photographs taken on and post Black Saturday. These extraordinary photos were taken by professional and amateur photographers, including Country Fire Authority volunteers. The photos are published in the magnificent book Footsteps in the Ash by St Andrews locals Jim Usher and Mac Gudgeon. It was launched last month in Hurstbridge by the Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and the Premier.
Footsteps in the Ash is a record of the devastation of the St Andrews and Strathewen communities where 37 people died and 117 homes were lost. The authors of the book, Mr Usher and Mr Gudgeon, live in St Andrews and were minutes away from being victims of the fires themselves.
Over a 10-month period they sensitively interviewed 80 survivors and 65 firefighters to compile these compelling stories and photographs, in the process becoming a listening post for the trauma of locals, many of whom have still not recovered. The initial print run of Footsteps in the Ash was funded by the Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek branches of the Bendigo Community Bank, which they should be commended for. The photographic exhibition that went alongside the book was financially supported by Harold Mitchell.
The book stands as an important record of this tragedy, but the photos themselves need to be preserved also as a record for future generations in honour of those who were lost. Both the member for Seymour and I have the privilege of representing the communities of Strathewen and St Andrews. I know that he supports the retention and preservation of these photographs, and the communities are very anxious for this to occur. I urge the minister to do all in his power to support this worthy project which has wide community support.
