Ash Wednesday

 
 

In 1983 Ash Wednesday fell on February 16. As temperatures soared towards 43 degrees many students were looking forward to cooling off at the annual swimming carnival that afternoon in the Adelaide Aquatic Centre.
Weather conditions worsened as the day wore on, with extreme dryness and gale force northerly winds laced with dust from the dry inland. This combined to provide perfect conditions for the spread of devastating fires in the Mt Lofty Ranges.

Mrs Chris James remembers watching the smoke haze and maintaining radio contact during the swimming carnival. She recalls that there were a number of staff with homes in the hills, including Pastor Geoff Burger, the college chaplain whose house on the side of Mount Osmond was visible from the oval. Pastor Geoff led prayer sessions as the fires continued to spread. His home was spared.
Many roads were closed, so students living in the hills were unable to go home that afternoon. Arrangements were made for them to spend the night with friends or relatives.

During the week following the fires, Forum organized voluntary offerings and collected a total of $1004.67. After widespread discussion and consultation this was donated to be equally shared between five Country Fire Service brigades.

The photo was taken from the Suaviter, formerly the chapel.
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