BENDIGO will come together to reflect on the impact of the devastating Black Saturday fires, 10 years after that fateful day.
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The City of Greater Bendigo will host a morning tea at the Bendigo Bushfire Memorial at Albert Richardson Reserve on Marong Road from 10am to 11.30am on February 9.
It is one of many events planned across the state.
READ MORE: When time stands still
In Melbourne, the Royal Exhibition Building gardens will host a state service on Monday February 4, three days before the anniversary date of Thursday February 7, to allow communities to spend the week reflecting in their own way.
The region was directly impacted by the fires on Saturday February 7 2009. One that started in Bracewell Street, Maiden Gully resulted in one death as well as loss or damage to hundreds of properties.
Fire crews also battled a fire in Redesdale.
In total, 173 Victorians lost their lives in the natural disaster.
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The Bendigo council’s coordinator resilient communities Frances Ford said the event would provide an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the fires on our local community, as well as the changes and long term recovery that has occurred since that time.
The announcements came as the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal announced grants totalling $555,963 to 36 groups to help communities impacted by Black Saturday fires.
Funding for those groups had been made possible through a Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund which the general public generously contributed to in the immediate aftermath of the fires.
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