In memory of those firefighters who have given their lives so courageously whilst fighting fires in country South Australia.
Their ultimate sacrifice for the safety of others can never be forgotten.
– The cairn at the memorial site
The South Australian Volunteer Fire Fighters Memorial was opened on 4 May 2016. This date is significant as International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD), the traditional feast day of St. Florian, patron saint of all firefighters.
An annual memorial service is now held every April. The next memorial service is scheduled for the 15 April 2023, commencing at 10am. All are welcome to attend the service to pay their respects and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending South Australian communities.
The memorial also records the names of Woods and Forests employees, who lost their lives at the Wandilo fire in 1958.
The open-air memorial is surrounded by a tranquil garden of native shrubs and trees, and is fully accessible to members of the public year round. There is ample parking on site, for cars and larger vehicles, and a shaded seating/picnic area. We encourage interested members of the public to visit the memorial at any time, and remember.
Honour Roll
Fallen CFS firefighters are remembered at the memorial:
- Louise Hincks, Happy Valley Brigade, 21st January 2022 passed away while fighting the Coles fire, aged 44
- Brian Johnston, Millicent Brigade, 9th December 2014 passed away while fighting the Rendelsham fire, aged 65
- Andrew Harrison, Mount Templeton Brigade, 31st October 2014 passed away while fighting the Nantawarra fire, aged 38
- Neil Richardson, Ungarra Brigade, 11th January 2005 passed away while fighting the Wangary fires, aged 30
- Trent Murnane, Cummins Brigade, 11th January 2005 passed away while fighting the Wangary fires, aged 48
- Leslie Peek, Strathalbyn Brigade, 10th March 1994 passed away while on duty, aged 46
- Peter Aird, Moorook, 21st August 1993 passed away while on duty, aged 46
- Robert Jones, Yahl Brigade, 1st February 1991 passed away while fighting a structure fire at OB Flat, aged 42
- Howard Kruse, Waterloo Brigade, 1s May 1990 passed away while on duty, aged 51
- Peter Stacy, Burnside Brigade, 23rd March 1990 passed away in a vehicle accident while on duty at Clarendon, aged 25
- Brian Fox, Lobethal Brigade, 22nd January 1986 passed away while on duty at Lobethal, aged 54
- Dean Dennis, Yeelanna Brigade, 18th March 1985 passed away while on duty, aged 49
- Brian Nosworthy, Callendale Brigade, 16th February 1983 passed away while fighting the Ash Wednesday fires, aged 52
- Peter Matthies, Summertown Brigade, 16th February 1983 passed away while fighting the Ash Wednesday fires at Mount Lofty, aged 27
- Andrew Lemke, Lucindale Brigade, 16th February 1983 passed away while fighting the Ash Wednesday fires, aged 23
- Barry McLoughlin, Athelstone Brigade, 15th February 1979 passed away in a vehicle accident en route to fire at Athelstone, aged 33
Another stone bears a plaque listing eight Woods and Forests firefighters killed in the Wandilo Fire on Saturday 5th April 1958:
- Remo Quaggiato, aged 25
- Bernardus Hendrikus Damhuis, aged 16
- Charles Theodore Dolling, aged 45
- Victor Lawrence Fensom, aged 45
- Bertram Wilson, aged 51
- Maurice Henry Treloar, aged 27
- Walter Pascoe Pearce, aged 46
- Francis Burdett, aged 49
Find more information about South Australia’s fallen firefighters and memorials on the SA Country Fire Service Promotions Unit webpage.