Media Release 3 December, 2009
Experience of Black Saturday shown through child’s eyes
The reality of Black Saturday is highlighted for the first time through the eyes of a child
survivor in a book written by his mother, author Kate Wilson.
The destruction of last February’s bushfires is indelibly etched in the memory of all
Victorians. None more so than those who lost loved ones, livelihoods and property?
The Wilson family were among the lucky ones – they narrowly escaped with their lives
when the fires destroyed their home at Chum Creek, near Healesville.
The account of that day, taken from Kate’s youngest son Kirk, has been poignantly told
and illustrated in the new resource book; Black Saturday was my dad’s birthday.
The book explains to children how a day of celebration quickly turned into a frantic
escape from the family home – a drive of survival from the flames, smoke, heat and
debris of a fast approaching bushfire.
Soon to be distributed free to schools, state libraries and families of bushfire affected
areas, the official launch of Black Saturday was my dad’s birthday takes place on:
Monday, 7 December
Fire Services Museum
10.30am-12pm
All media are invited to attend
Kate and the Wilson family will be available for interviews, as will Hon Bill Shorten MP,
Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and federal member for
the seat of Maribyrnong. Ben Hardman MP, for the Victorian state seat of Seymour will
also be in attendance.
Representatives from the Uniting Church, including Moderator Isabel Thomas Dobson
will also be available for comment. A class from Healesville’s St Brigid’s Primary School
will also be in attendance.
The book has been funded by the Uniting Church Bushfire Disaster Appeal.
Media contact: Michael Docherty, media communications officer, 9251 5222, 0408
950 702
NEWS 
