Summary

Burnt cast-concrete ornament male gnome. Found in the remains of Lynne Stone's home, destroyed at Marysville by the Murrindindi Bushfire on 7 February, 2009.

This is part of the Victorian Bushfires Collection, which includes an interview with Lynne Stone and other fire affected artefacts from their property.

Physical Description

Fire-damaged cast-cement male gnome statue. He has a beard, and his right hand is raised to his ear, as if trying to hear something. On his head is a pointed hat and on his feet are clog-style shoes. Original surface finish is gone but the crackling effect suggests paint. Ash and other debris is attached to the surface.

Significance

This collection of objects documents one family's experience of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and the extent of the devastation experienced by both an individual family and an entire community.

The donor's house and all its contents were destroyed in the Marysville fires on 7 February, 2009. The fire which tore through the town, known as the Murrindindi Mill fire, destroyed 95 percent of the town of Narbethong before heading towards Marysville. Only 14 of its 400 buildings were left standing, and 34 residents were killed. As many Victorians had visited Marysville as tourists and its natural beauty was well known, its destruction came to symbolise the devastation caused by the Black Saturday bushfires.

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