A SOUND of a solitary bell echoed in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday afternoon.
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One by one, the names of 67 fallen firefighters were read, followed by a chime and then momentary silence.
Hundreds of people attended the CFA Annual Memorial Service for firefighters, this year held in Ballarat.
The day honours the firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
About 27 people placed a floral tribute at the cathedral during the ceremony.
Kenneth James Clark, of Ararat, Graham John Kirk, of Rokewood Junction, and Stanley Bertram Bridges, of Wendouree, were some of the many firefighters remembered on the day.
The service is held on the Sunday closest to International Firefighters Day and St Florian’s Day on May 4.
CFA chief executive Michael Wootten said the service commemorated the lives of firefighters who never returned from the fire ground.
“It’s an opportunity to acknowledge those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “Through loss, hardship and experience, we have learnt from all those who have come before.”
The CFA has previously held the annual service in different regional towns and cities, including Sale, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, Shepparton and Geelong.
