On 27th December 2003, a catastrophic bushfire tore through the farming area of Tenterden, resulting in two fatalities, the destruction of houses, sheds, livestock and crops.
The powerline fire started on the Albany Highway south of the Ballochmyle Road intersection at 1:15pm. Then moved in a South-East direction, through the townsite of Tenterden, reaching the Stirling Range National Park four hours later. It burnt a total of 15,000ha.
This file is a comprehensive record of this disastrous event. It is a compilation of newspaper articles and donated photographs that show a community who rally's to support each other in such traumatic circumstances.
Local high school student Emma-Jane Toovey, (who at the time lived on Yeriminup Road) compiled this file of newspaper clippings and photographs about the fire. Emma-Jane found the visual scene confronting, and this was her way of dealing with this community tragedy. The task continued for two years, as a coronial inquest and court proceedings extended the trauma experienced by the community.
