KATIE Peters’ family say she will always be in the hearts of those who knew her but now the fallen Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ firefighter will be remembered in another way.
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A reserve on the banks of the Mitta River has been named in honour of the Tallandoon teenager who lost her life while fighting the Harrietville-Alpine North fire last February.
The beautification and renaming of the reserve was an initiative of the 19-year-old’s Upper Murray Fire District workmates in consultation with Katie’s family.
The Katie Peters Reserve is located on Mitta North Road, between Eskdale and Mitta.
It was officially opened with a morning tea last week, attended by members of her family, friends and workmates.
Those attending wore their “overall green” ribbons to mark the occasion, as they did a year ago after the incident.
Katie and colleague Steven Kadar, 34, were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in was struck by a falling tree while fighting the Harrietville-Alpine North bushfire.
A memorial to Mr Kadar is also being planned by his workmates at Corryong.
A spokesman for Katie’s family said she was a caring and genuine farm girl who had a great sense of humour.
“Katie will always be held in the hearts of those who knew her,” the spokesman said.
“Katie grew up on our dairy farm in Tallandoon, Mitta Valley, not far from the reserve which is now named in her honour.
“We would like to thank her workmates and the department for this dedication and for providing a place of remembrance for such a wonderful, happy person.”
The department’s regional director Peter Farrell said its deepest thoughts were with the Kadar and Peters families, their friends and workmates.
“The tragic death of Steven and Katie has left a huge void in the lives of so many people,” he said.
