Peter Harris interviewed by Mary Hutchison in the Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3546609
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Harris, Peter, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Written permission is required for research use, personal copies and public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 2005
- 4 digital audio tapes.
- Series:
- Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Peter Harris speaks about being a resident in Canberra since 1963; Mt Taylor Estate; the community and changes over the years; the impact of new building since the fire on existing houses; Mt Taylor Estate Residents Association; the things the house contained; his long term involvement with Scouts and local church; lack of specific knowledge about dealing with fire; insurance issues; looking for valuables and identification; awareness of fires in week before; preparations; list of items missed; decision to leave; the wind; the house next door exploding; looking for neighbour whose house was burning; impact of fire on trees; putting spot fires out with hose; house implodes; the shock; the children's concerns and support; a sense of ongoing danger from fire; poor recollection of people and events during day; exhaustion; needing to be strong; the scene after the main fire; going to hotel in Civic with cat and dog; practicalities after the fire; returning the following day in borrowed clothes; daily routine at the time; moving to rented house; accepting financial support; Recovery Centre; Salvation Army; involvement in Community Fire Unit; the first anniversary of the fire.
Harris talks about his personal journey and emotional stages since the fire; the critical decision to buy or rebuild; realisation of role of possessions in identity; reference to Tsunami victims; support from Church; rebuilding; determination to look forward to new life experiences; being ill prepared; the temptation to walk back into the house before it burned; missing the comfort of a place that has been home for many years; loss of photographs; sadness of starting all over again; media coverage; telling his own story in newspaper articles and through sermons at church; post fire community activities; destruction of Scouts' Cottermouth campsite; focus on developing resilience in new paid work with Scouts; memorial; Coronial Inquiry; helping people move on; government caught unprepared; the Recovery Task Force being exceptional; value of access to counselling; observations of impact of fire on other people; his own experiences; the fire as an important process; the impact of article for 'The Age' written from perspective of son Paul; from shock to reward and new opportunities.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on July 16, 2005 and July 23, 2005 at Kambah, A.C.T
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Detailed summary (8 p.)
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Hutchison, Mary, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project.
This collection contains 21 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2075 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2005
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project [sound recording]
- Bill Flint interviewed by Mary Hutchison in the Canberra bushfires 2003 oral history project [sound recording]
- Tim Boxshall interviewed by Mary Hutchison in the Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project [sound recording]
- Andrew Stawowczyk Long interviewed by Mary Hutchison in the Canberra bushfires 2003 oral history project [sound recording]
- Simone Penkethman interviewed by Mary Hutchison in the Canberra bushfires 2003 oral history project [sound recording]