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NOTE - MIKE COLLETT LOOKING FOR DON USHER

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2011

Subcollections

Roleystone Kelmscott Bushfire Collection (2011)

Overview

Piece of scrap note paper. Written in pen [MikE CollEtt / 04******** / 94****** / is Looking / FOR / DON UshER].
Three lines drawn horizontally under text. Line of sticky tape remains across top.

Historical information

One of a series of notes left by concerned members of the public looking for friends and relatives following the Kelmscott & Roleystone Bushfire on the 6th of February 2011. The notes were left at the Armadale Arena on Townley Street, Armadale, which was the evacuation centre during the bushfire.
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, down the hill and into Kelmscott. 150 firefighters 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 into 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 number of homes lost. No one was killed during the bushfire.
For further information see the Birtwistle Local Studies Library.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-33-COA2011.6

Item type

Documents

Material

Ink

Paper

Width

140 mm

Height or length

210 mm

Keywords

Bushfire Roleystone Kelmscott 2011

Armadale Arena TOWNLEY Street Armadale

USHER Don Mr

Year

2011

Statement of significance

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 collection represents not only the destructive nature of the bushfire but also how the local and wider Western Australian community came together to help those in need. This collection is also part of a far broader story about Western Australia's relationship with fire.

City of Armadale - History House

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