The idea of the Humevale Road Bushfire Memorial was conceived and developed by a group of local residents who lost family and friends in the Black Saturday Bushfires on 7 February 2009.
As the designer of the memorial, Urban Initiatives was asked to reflect the sense of community spirit and resilience in the design, to consider its integration with the natural environment, and to include natural materials and an informal, ‘organic’ style within a specified, modest footprint. In addition, the memorial was to be generally complementary to the nearby Toorourrong Memorial site and include a simple map or directions to this memorial.
It was important to consider longevity, maintenance and vandalism issues. For this reason, durable materials such as concrete, stone and steel were used, along with a robust design that could sit comfortably within the Australian landscape.
Incorporated in the design is a seat for reflection and contemplation, a ledge for flowers, and a nearby bike rail to accommodate cyclists.
Location
Humevale, Victoria
Role
Lead Consultant
Client
City of Whittlesea
Construction Budget
$20K
Traditional Owners
Wurundjeri People
