PURPLE SUPPORT SERVICES VEST
2011Purple sleeveless vest with grey reflective edging and white lettering front and back. There are two small rectangular pockets sewn on either side of the front and Velcro strips are fitted to the front panels to secure the item in place.
Lettering on the front is small and is positioned on the upper left while on the back is larger and centrally located.
There are two white tags attached to the collar with black lettering.
These vests were worn by support services personnel at the Armadale Arena where they provided financial support, counselling and general services for those affected by the fire. The people wearing them were known as the 'Purple Angels' by residents using the Arena. The support services officers were from the Department of Child Protection and were part of an emergency response team. The vests were worn by Liz O'Neill, Gerry Evans and Vera Vincent from the Department of Child Protection.
On the morning of 6th of February 2011 a bushfire was accidentally started by an individual using an angle grinder outside, during a total fire ban. Sparks from the angle grinder set nearby dry grass on fire. High easterly winds caused this scrub fire to quickly turn into a bushfire. Over the course of the rest of the day the fire spread westerly out of Roleystone and, down the hill and into Kelmscott. 150 fire-fighters were on the ground during the peak of the bushfire. Residents in the path of the fire were ordered to evacuate immediately. Over 4,000 people were evacuated during the bushfire. Many families lost their homes. 69 homes were destroyed with another 71 badly damaged. Residents were evacuated to the Armadale Arena on Townley Street which was turned in to the emergency evacuation centre. Most residents spent the night there and it was a few days before they were allowed back into the area to see if their homes had survived.
The Armadale Arena remained a one stop resource centre for victims of the bushfire for 2 weeks after the event.
This bushfire is now regarded as one of the worst in WA history due to the loss of homes. No one was killed during the bushfire.
For further information see the Birtwistle Local Studies library
Details
Details
Text front[SUPPORT / SERVICES] BACK [SUPPORT / SERVICES] Larger tag [POLYESTER / COTTON /WARM MACHINE / WASH / DO NOT BLEACH / COLD RINSE WELL / DO NOT TUMBLE DRY / WARM IRON / MADE IN AUSTRALIA] small tag [ XL]
On the 6th of February 2011, the Roleystone Kelmscott Bushfire destroyed over 70 homes in the east Kelmscott and south west Roleystone area. Residents were evacuated to the Armadale Arena, which became the centre for helping those effected by the fire. This sign was put on a notice board for people at the centre.
This was one of the worst bushfire for loss of homes in WA history. Many people lost everything in this event due to the speed of the fire.
City of Armadale - History House
City of Armadale - History House
Other items from City of Armadale - History House
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REMAINS OF A CHAINSAW
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REMAINS OF A BLOWER VAC
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ADVERT - BURNT COMPUTERS FREE INFORMATION RECOVERY SERVICE
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BURNT SEWING MACHINE
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EXPLODED METAL JERRY CAN
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DIGITAL IMAGE - DEPT CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER ASSISTING FIRE VICTIMS
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DIGITAL IMAGE - BEDDING AT ARMADALE ARENA FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
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PAINTED CERAMIC TILE HOUSE NUMBER
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PAINTED CERAMIC TILE HOUSE NUMBER
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NOTICE - ANIMAL HELP FREE BOARDING FOR PETS
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JOLLY NEW RHYMES
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FATHER TUCK'S ANIMAL WORLD
