Yesterday, 8 weeks on from Black Saturday, the Kinglake Footy Club ran out onto Memorial Oval.

In front of a crowd of more than 2,000, the Kinglake “Lakers” ran through their “Rise from the Ashes” banner and went on to win the match.

Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority chairwoman Christine Nixon said the day was symbolic as it was the first step forward for the town.

“This was really a goal to start the footy season and they’ve done it. This is about renewing communities. It’s important for families to come together at this time, coming to the football and doing something that’s a bit routine. It’s a way of getting stability back in their lives”, she said.

Premier John Brumby said, “This is a game that has captured the hearts and minds of so many people. Sport is so important to rebuilding communities and bringing people together.”

Linda Craske, one of seven local Country Fire Authority volunteers to get new tattoos of a phoenix after the fires, said the football match was an important step in helping the community to heal. “People are looking happier and more relaxed,” she said.

For more information on the match in Kinglake, as reported in The Age newspaper, please see , and .

To see a complete review of last weekend’s Bushfire Fundraiser and Match co-hosted by the Vietnam Swans and Bali Geckos, please click on the following link: