Summary

Found in the wreckage of Bill Coppinger's kitchen area. The knife was part of a set and was a birthday gift to Bill's wife from her sister in 2003 or 2004.

The donor's house at Mount Disappointment and all its contents were lost in the Kilmore East Bushfire on 7 February 2009.

This is part of the Victorian Bushfires Collection, which includes a number of interviews with Bill Coppinger and a large range of fire affected artefacts from his destroyed home.

Physical Description

Stainless steel one-piece carving knife. The handle has 3 holes and 2 rivets, one rivet holding a small remnant of the original handle material.

Significance

This is a story of good fire preparation but ultimate defeat before an overwhelming firestorm. On 7 February 2009, the donor watched closely as the Kilmore East Fire jumped the Hume Highway and moved across to the base of his property on Mount Disappointment. He was aware of the fire's movements, had vast amounts of water and was properly prepared to 'stay and defend', but his house and all its contents were destroyed. He lost his dog and very nearly lost his life.

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