While Tasmania currently burns, and Queensland suffers fatal floods, we are also coming up to the 10-year anniversary of Victoria’s devastating Black Saturday fires.

Photographer Lilli Waters explores the courage and resilience of those affected by the fires in an exhibition at the Victoria Police Museum. Things of Fire and Ash: Remembered traces the lives of six young people from the Kinglake area and reflects ‘individuals’ stories and journeys. ‘We asked our participants to write about what the 10-year anniversary means to them,’ explains curator Amber Evangelista.

Lilli was lucky not to be directly affected by Black Saturday, but the horrendous climate event resonated strongly with her. She explains, ‘it has been an extraordinary experience for me to be invited back to photograph portraits of these kids five years later, now as young adults, seeing them grown and matured, and rebuilding their lives after such a loss’. The exhibition also features four Victoria Police officers whose bravery and spirit provided extraordinary support and care to those in need.

Lilli highlights, ‘I feel extremely privileged to have been a small part of such an important event in our history as the 10-year anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires.’

Things Of Fire And Ash: Remembered by Lilli Waters
Opening Thursday, February 7th
Victoria Police Museum 
637 Flinders Street
Docklands, Victoria