19th Anniversary of 2003 Canberra Bushfires

Today marks the 19th anniversary of the 2003 Canberra bushfires, a day many Canberrans will never forget.

Today is a day of reflection, as we remember the four lives that were lost, the homes and properties that were destroyed and those who were displaced by the disaster. We also acknowledge and empathise with those that still experience trauma from this event.

During this disaster and the recovery period, the Canberra community displayed incredible resilience, strength, and community spirit. A community becoming united through hardship is an amazing thing for us to remember on this difficult day.

19 years on, we thank all of those involved in the response and recovery effort that continues to this day and reflect on the lessons learned since the 2003 Canberra bushfires.

Images from the aftermath of 2003 Canberra bushfires can be viewed in this gallery (warning, images may be distressing to some viewers: https://ab.co/3nwBGaL)

We understand that this subject may be sensitive to community members and ACTESA personnel. If you need someone to talk to, the Lifeline 24/7 Crisis Support is available on 13 11 14.