A plaque installed at the Mannibadar Soldiers Memorial Hall will serve as a permanent reminder of the selfless bravery of three men who gave their lives defending Mannibadar from wildfires 80 years ago.
On 15 January 1944, wildfires tore through Mannibadar and surrounding areas which the Ballarat Courier described as "the most disastrous fires in their history". Mannibadar farmers Ron Ellis, Harold Jolly and Jack Moore each lost their lives in the fires while trying to defend their properties and were among 51 people who died across Victoria that year fighting fires.
The Mannibadar Settlement Committee held an event on Sunday 19 May to unveil the plaque and pay tribute to Ron, Harold and Jack's heroic sacrifice. Family and local community members, Country Fire Authority representatives and Cr Ian Getsom from Golden Plains Shire were in attendance.
Council's Community Planning Program supported the installation of the plaque through the Mannibadar Community Plan 2023-2027.