Black Saturday - One Year On

Black Saturday - One Year On

In the week leading up to the first anniversary of `Black Saturday', the ABC will reflect on the events that resulted in ustralia's worst bushfire disaster.

On February 7, 2009, the Victorian bushfires claimed 173 lives, destroyed over 2000 homes and left more than 7000 people homeless. Today the bushfire recovery continues, as people try to rebuild and get on with their lives.

Through a range of programs and platforms, the ABC continues to provide the most trusted and comprehensive coverage of the bushfire tragedy. The ABC will be commemorating the anniversary with a series of ABC Local Radio outside broadcasts within the region; a TV documentary, Inside the Firestorm on BC1 the online feature website `Black Saturday' and radio and TV news and current affairs specials.

As part of the BC's extended coverage programs will explore how the affected communities are fairing 12 months on, and how people are coping with the enormity of the tragedy and recovery process.

Coverage on ABC Television, Radio and Online

Inside the Firestorm ABC1 on Sunday, February 7 at 8.30pm

This powerful TV documentary shows the 24 terrifying hours through the eyes of those who were there the witnesses caught inside the firestorm.

Inside the Firestorm documents hour-by-hour the events that unfolded on that fateful day. Witnesses tell their heart-breaking stories some of miraculous survival, others of devastating loss of loved ones and property by the bushfires described by one eyewitnesses as a `fire tornado'.

Using Country Fire Authority footage, eyewitness accounts, 774 ABC Melbourne radio reports, photos and amateur footage, this documentary shows how these monster fires, exacerbated by hurricane-force winds, destroyed everything in the path. A firestorm so ferocious, it could kill from 200 meters.

On Friday, February 5, News breakfast on ABC2 will cross live to Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Christine Nixon and Federal Member for McEwen, Fran Bailey at Kinglake and other guests including locals affected by the fires. Stateline on ABC1 is presenting a special program from Kinglake featuring interviews with Nixon, Country Fire Authority Chief Officer, Russell Rees and others.

ABC Local Radio Victoria has been working closely with communities and individuals impacted by the Black Saturday bushfires and will commemorate the anniversary with a number of special programs including broadcasts from affected communities.

774 ABC Melbourne and ABC Local Radio nationally will broadcast the `Black Saturday' ecumenical service live from St Paul's at 12pm on Sunday 7th February.

ABC Online provides a unique insight into the events both on the day and in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires with the interactive website at abc.net.au/blacksaturday

This highly acclaimed website provides a central space to explore the event from all angles. It gives audiences across the country a way to make sense of what happened and to understand what it was like to experience a firestorm the size and ferocity of `Black Saturday'.

The site presents a compelling range of personal stories and eye-witness footage alongside mainstream media coverage and official records providing a 360 view of the `Black Saturday' bushfires. Content includes footage from news and current affairs programs, local and national radio programs, photo galleries, online comments, blogs and official documents. Visitors can choose what they want to look at simply by browsing the full range of stories or by choosing a topic. Content can also be arranged in chronological order as a timeline or viewed in the context of a map. Seeing the physical location of stories is particularly relevant for national audiences who are unfamiliar with the Victorian terrain.

The BC's `Black Saturday' website goes beyond the events of the day and looks at some of the hidden and long-term issues surrounding bushfires. Through a range of feature stories the site shows the extent and depth of loss after the fires but also the sense of gratitude and love of life that is common to so many survivors.


For more information contact:

Kim Bassett ABC TV Publicity 03 9524 2580 [email protected]
Natalene Muscat ABC Local Radio 03 9626 1796 [email protected]
Victoria Till ABC Innovation 03 9626 1987 or [email protected]


Watch last year's BC News Special ` fter the Firestorm'
abc.net.au/news/events/bushfires/tv-special.htm

Comprehensive ABC News coverage of the Victorian bushfire disaster
abc.net.au/news/events/bushfire-recovery

BC Online's feature Black Saturday website at
abc.net.au/blacksaturday



SOURCE: Australian Broadcasting Corporation