Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre

👑 King's Birthday Long Weekend Closure 👑

As we head into the King's Birthday long weekend, the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre will be taking a short break.

The Centre will be closed on Sunday 7 June, but we will be back Sunday 14th June from 11am-3pm!

Whether you're spending the weekend exploring our beautiful local bushland, relaxing with family and friends, or simply enjoying some well-earned downtime, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable long weekend.

We look forward to welcoming you back when we are back next weekend.

🌿 Happy King's Birthday Weekend from the AWBEC team! 🌿

Unfortunately due to works at the Puffing Billy intersection, we will not be opening today.

Please come and say g'day to our volunteers next Sunday, from 11am to 3pm!

This National Volunteers Week, we proudly recognise and thank the amazing volunteers who support the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre. ❤️

Our volunteers play an important role in preserving local history, sharing stories, educating visitors, and helping keep the memories and lessons of Ash Wednesday alive for future generations.

Whether welcoming visitors, assisting with events, maintaining displays, researching history, or working quietly behind the scenes — every contribution makes a difference.

Your dedication, passion and commitment to community education and remembrance is truly appreciated.

Thank you to all our volunteers, past and present. 💙

Today, we celebrate all the incredible mums, grandmothers, carers and mother figures who nurture, guide and protect those around them. ❤️

At the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre, we recognise the strength, resilience and care that mothers show every single day — qualities that are also at the heart of strong communities.

Whether you are spending today with family, remembering loved ones, or simply taking a well-earned moment to yourself, we wish you a peaceful and happy Mother’s Day.

Thank you for everything you do. 🌿

🍂 Active Autumn in Cardinia Shire 🍂

Join us for a fantastic FREE community event this April!

🔥 Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre Open Day 🔥

📅 Tuesday 14 April
⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre
2 McBride Street Cockatoo

Learn about the history of Ash Wednesday and bushfire preparedness at the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre Open Day.

The Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre pays tribute to the efforts of firefighters and other emergency services workers during the fires.

The Education centre was built in 2015 on the site of the former kindergarten in McBride Street, Cockatoo. The site has great significance to the local community as around 300 residents took shelter in the building during the fires.

The centre has retained the kindergarten’s original concrete slab and 12-sided steel framework. It features memorial plaques, historical and bushfire education displays, artworks and a barbecue and shelter.

A reflective garden has also been planted and landscaped; featuring a Corymbia ficifolia tree (red flowering gum) planted by the late Princess of Wales and Prince of Wales during their visit to Cockatoo in March 1983.

A huge thank you to Community Bank Dandenong Ranges (part of Bendigo Bank) for their ongoing support of our community.

Seven years ago, they generously donated a defibrillator to us and several other local groups. As our original unit recently reached end of life, we submitted a grant application for a replacement — and we’re so grateful they supported us once again.

Our new defibrillator will be installed at the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre. We hope it’s never needed, but it will be there if an emergency arises.

Their support comes thanks to their customers, as the Community Bank operates on a ‘profit-with-purpose’ model, meaning profits go back directly to the community that makes them possible.

If you’re considering changing banks, exploring a new loan, or simply reviewing whether your current arrangements are the right fit, we highly recommend speaking with Bruce, Branch Manager, and his friendly team at Emerald. You can visit the branch, call 5968 8831, or email [email protected] to arrange an appointment.

Today we remember Ash Wednesday — 16 February 1983.

A day etched into Victoria’s history. 75 lives were lost across Victoria and South Australia, thousands of homes were destroyed, and entire communities were changed forever.

We honour those who lost their lives, stand with the families who continue to carry this loss, and acknowledge the strength and resilience shown in the years since.

We also recognise the courage of firefighters, volunteers, and local communities who faced unimaginable conditions with determination and bravery.

The Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre will be open this afternoon from 4:00pm to 6:00pm for anyone wishing to reflect and learn more about the events and their lasting impact.

This evening, Nar Nar Goon CFA will be holding a memorial service at Eddie Lowen’s Seat, Wright Forest at 7:30pm. Everyone is warmly welcome to attend and pay their respects.

Lest we forget. 🌿🔥
May we continue to remember, prepare, and support one another.

Today, the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre remembers Black Saturday – 7 February 2009.

We honour the 173 lives lost, acknowledge the survivors and families forever changed, and recognise the profound impact the fires had on communities across Victoria. Black Saturday reinforced the devastating power of bushfire, and the importance of understanding risk, preparedness, and resilience.

We pay tribute to the firefighters, emergency services personnel, and community members whose courage and selflessness stood against unimaginable conditions.

As a place of learning and remembrance, we remain committed to sharing the lessons of past fires — so they are never forgotten, and so future generations are better prepared.

Lest we forget.

The 2026 AWBEC Cockatoo Trades and Services calendar can now be obtained at the Cockatoo IGA.

Your support for local businesses that support us is greatly appreciated.