IT WAS an emotional Saturday morning at the Ballarat Fire Brigade as the Country Fire Authority hosted a momentous event to apologise to the survivors of historical child sexual abuse perpetrated by a former station officer.
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Dozens of members of the CFA, the Ballarat Fire Brigade, survivors and their families gathered for the event - organised by the brigade, survivors and the CFA - with vibrantly coloured ribbons pinned to their fronts in a show of solidarity with the survivors.
The mood was solemn as a courageous survivor expressed why having permanent recognition of how former station officer Ivor Harvey had destroyed the lives of many children in the 1970s and 80s, in the form of a plaque installed next to the loud fence she started, was so important.
The survivor, who wishes to protect her identity and be known as 'M', said she had many happy childhood memories at the brigade, but for her and countless others, it was also a place where some of her most horrendous childhood memories were created.
She said Harvey used his position to prey on innocent children, who he sexually abused for years, paralysing them with fear to prevent them from speaking up.
"Over the years these little children have grown into amazing adults and some who were too scared to speak up as children have found their voices and the strength to speak out against the atrocities that occurred to us, that destroyed our childhoods and continue to impact us and our families."
Harvey pleaded guilty when M's case was taken to court but though convicted, he received a suspended sentence due to ill health.
Many other survivors took their cases to police and through the legal system but it was during a more recent case, heard in 2016, that M feared he would get away with his crimes by using ill health as an excuse once again.
So she tied four little ribbons - to represent herself and the three male victims going through the court case - to the fence of the brigade in an effort to break the silence.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that those four little ribbons would lead to a permanent fixture being created and a public acknowledgement of the abuse we experienced," she said.
"While this evil predator is now dead and some will never get the justice they deserve, I hope our fence for all victims and survivors helps each and every one of us in some small way to know you have been heard and we believe you.
"Through all the tragedy, heartache, pain and sadness this abuse has caused, I have some comfort in knowing that by speaking out we as survivors are playing a huge role in the changes being made by the CFA across the state now and into the future."
Operations Manager and Officer in Charge of CFA District 15, Brett Boatman, said the Ballarat Fire Station - one of the city's most imposing and significant buildings with its five-storey tall watch tower - had been a home to the Ballarat Fire Brigade for 163 years.
Today, the brigade of 60 volunteer members, respond to 500 calls a year and operate the only specialist Road Accident Rescue vehicle in the district while continuing to uphold the proud traditions of a fire brigade in the way they plan, prepare and respond to the community when they are in need.
The brigade, with leadership from captain Mark Cartledge, chose not to cover up the dark chapter of history, but to recognise the crimes committed by one of their own in order to support the survivors.
Mr Cartledge said the unveiling of the plaque recognised what had occurred was a part of the brigade's history with a permanent acknowledgement of the strength of the survivors.
"As a brigade we see the importance of recognising the historical incidents as a regrettable part of the history of the brigade," he said.
Chief Officer Steve Warrington said the plaque was a permanent testament to the resilience and bravery of the survivors.
"The CFA recognises the wrongs of the past and the importance of change to promote healing and ensure the safety of children into the future.
"There is nothing I can say that will undo what has happened but I want to reiterate our most sincere and heartfelt apology to the survivors. We are sorry."
He said change in such a big organisation could be difficult but the CFA, with guidance from survivors, was doing everything it could to embed child safety measures throughout the organisation to ensure it is protective and responsive to those in need.
If this story has affected you contact the Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault on 5320 3933.
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