A Macedon Ranges book detailing the memories of the 1983 Ash Wednesday fire will be launched on Sunday, April 30 at the Jubilee Hall.
The local book, Memories of Ash Wednesday, documents the personal memories of dozens of Macedon, Gisborne, Bullengarook and Woodend residents who lived through the disaster on February 16.
Gisborne resident Bryan Power, who compiled and edited the book, said 64 people reached out with stories from Ash Wednesday.
“I was surprised at the number of responses I had,” Mr Power said.
“I was going to write an article to commemorate the 40 anniversary [but] I got so many responses… [I] thought there was a book in it.
“I finished up with 64 stories, ranging from people who made an early escape and some who almost died.”
Mr Power said the 285 page book is a good reminder of the dangers of fires in the Macedon Ranges.
“It will be a good reminder to the thousands of people who have moved up to Madeon who have no experiences of fires,” he said.
“It is potentially a dangerous place to live in and we always need to be fire ready in the Macedon Ranges.”
The public launch will be hosted by Athol Guy and will kick off at 2pm, with light refreshments provided. The Victorian Emergency Services Commissioner, Andrew Crisp, will also be attending.
The book will be available to purchase at the launch for $40, and at the Trading Post and the newsagents in Gisborne and Macedon from May 1.
Mr Power said the profits from the book, after printing costs, will be donated to the non-profit Gisborne Gazette, which will flow back to the community through local sponsorships.
Zoe Moffatt
