On the evening of Sunday 19 December around 40 community members walked a seven kilometre return route from the Fox Creek Bike Park car park, across the hills, to a lone gum tree on the horizon in commemoration of the Cudlee Creek bushfire that started near there on 20 December 2019.
An initiative of Forestry SA, the community was invited to join this reflective journey on the eve of two year anniversary of the disaster that burned over 23,000 hectares and destroyed vehicles, buildings and livestock, and claimed one life.
"The tree has come to symbolise a beacon of hope and resilience, as it withstood the ravages of the fire to stand tall despite the destruction all around it," said Mayor Wisdom.
"A number of people told me that despite the awfulness of the fire, the community had made many connections and was all the stronger for coming through it together."
As part of the initiative, Forestry SA lit the gum tree from below from 8:30pm that night, making it visible across the landscape.
Be prepared for this year's Fire Danger Season. Check here for resources and tips for you, your family, and your property.
Pictured is a number of community members including Adelaide Hills Council Mayor, Jan-Claire Wisdom, Lynton Vonow of Lobethal, and CEO Kevin Wisdom-Hill and Service Manager Bruce Stocks of Summit Health.
