After the fire, the Salvation Army undertook fundraising to assist the 38 families who lost their homes in the 3000ha blaze.
It retained some money to be available in case of further need and, in late 2012, made the decision to make a final distribution of those funds.
Toodyay Bushfire Memorial Committee chairman Tim Officer suggested the final payment be made available to provide a memorial from the survivors of the fire to show their appreciation to the Toodyay community that supported them in the aftermath of the blaze.
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READ NOWThe committee commissioned Michael Shepherd to create the memorial sculpture ” a large sculpture of a Carnaby’s cockatoo ” chosen because it was the first bird to appear back in the fire-|affected areas.
At a council forum on February 4, the council agreed on the sculpture, but was undecided on its placement.
Councillors voted to decide on the location in conjunction with the artist Michael Shepherd at its February 18 council meeting.
Possible sites for the bird sculpture include Federation Square, Duidgee Park, the area near Charcoal Land carpark or the proposed information bay site.
Shire of Toodyay President David Dow said the sculpture was a sign of new beginnings.
‘It is important to get the site right,’ Cr Dow said.
‘We need the thing to remind people what happened and also another attraction for Toodyay.’