Black Saturday tattoos
These are not 'mock-ups'.
Ben Cousins has Ned Kelly’s last words, “Such is life” tattooed on his torso in a huge arc, which I find rather weird but then again, Ben was probably pretty ‘weird’ at the time he had it done.
People get tattoos for different reasons but often it’s to celebrate something, like the birth of a child, the love of their partner or being part of something like playing in a winning AFL premiership team.
Some just do it for the hell of it and, lately, it’s become trendy with younger people, especially with girls. But generally speaking, people get tattoos as a sort-of accessory item that’s designed to attract attention.
I’m not sure what to think about the Kinglake survivors of Black Saturday (men & women) getting these tats, but I can’t imagine the Marysville survivors doing the same. Maybe they should have waited a bit longer before making such a life-long decision. They might still be in shock.
But I’ll just let this excerpt from a H/Sun report (and the photo) speak for itself :
DOZENS of Kinglake locals are getting Black Saturday tattoos as a symbol of unity in the face of disaster. Tattooist Greg Rogers has created up to 30 designs, and is charging only what survivors can afford. Simon Drews, 33, has a striking upper arm tattoo of a ruined chimney flanked by flames and inscribed: “Kinglake Survivor 7.2.09″. Mr Drews, who runs the Kinglake Diner with wife Tracey, paid $80 for the body art. The Drews’ home was razed by the fires – and the chimney was one of the few things left standing. “It’s a way of showing that we’re all here and all going to move forward,” Mr Drews said of his first tattoo. “It’s not something that we’re ever going to forget.”
Comment: Of course they won’t forget the fires. But the tats?
Promoting 'Beautiful Bright'.
Click 
Personally, I would opt for a T-shirt but, then again, I think all tats are stupid attention getters
Agreed, Greg. The T shirt can be pulled out and worn at appropriate times. But a tat is a permanent reminder of their ‘victim’ status.
I have to laugh at you Greg, “attracting and retaining perpetual public sympathy” are you kidding??
Go there, talk to the locals – meet Simon, I’ll personally introduce you, hear his story, then I fill you in on the role he is playing in getting the community moving forward.
Dont be so critcal – yes these people are still in shock, most of the dead are not even buried, but you know what – if a tat helps them find something good in the experience, who cares!! I can see it as a way to empower them, they Survived!!!
Actually I said that, Melissa, although Greg seemed to agree. No criticism from here. Just concern.
Personally, I think it’s a bit tacky. But if it helps these people get over their ordeal it’s good thing.
I understand that aspect of it too, Wah. It’s just that tats are often regretted down the track.
I think the tatts are gorgeous, but then, I am mostly a fan of them (on guys).
Are you suggesting there should be some cooling off period between choosing the design and having the inkwork done?
I personally don’t have tatts and think they look slutty on girls. However I’m going to have a tiny discreet green Celtic knot done when I am in Ireland at the end of the year.
One thing people don’t seem to have noticed is these people are NOT celebrating victimhood, they are SURVIVORS. Its an important difference.
End of lecture.
For the people who think we want our tats for attention, do you really think it’ll make a difference? I’m getting more attention right now than I can even handle.
I don’t know about everyone else with tatts, but mine is my way of showing respect to those I lost, so they can look down at me from where ever they are now and know I love them, maybe you personally don’t believe that a tattoo is anyway of showing that, but that’s only your personal opinion, and that’s fine, if you wouldn’t want to get a tattoo to represent the loss of a loved one/s then don’t get one, but to say that someone who does believe it is just an attention seeker is not an opinion but a judgment and shows great ignorance on your behalf.
Robyn-
You’re exactly right, thanks to all the amazing people throughout Australia with all their support, myself and everyone I know who survived has not for a second had to see themselves as Victims, instead we think about how lucky we are to be a part of such a supportive country, even our Assessor who came out from The US commented on the amount of support Australia has given, he reckons he’s never seen anything like it in his life and was overwhelmed by it, even the support from Hurricane Katrina didn’t come close.
There’s no disrespect meant to you. If that’s your choice then so be it.
The people who get these tats,get them to remind them of the loved ones they have lost & the people in there communities . I am a fire fighter that worked in the area that day and i am looking at getting a tattoo to remined me of the people i meet & worked with on tht day.
Wouldn’t photos do that too? Your choice Rod, no one is going to stop you. Cheers.
You stupid people. I survived Kinglake, i will never forget, ive returned home (NZ) I lost many good mates and I can understand why people are using this form of expression in unification of a terrible shared experience. form my own personal experience I will say to anyone who doesn’t understand what it could be like is next time you have a large gathering of close friends (20+) imagine that in two hours 16 of those standing before you will be dead, you will have nowhere to live and you face the next few weeks of where actually am i going to live, but thats after you have figured out who is still standing, who isn’t and how you are going to move anywhere. Your laid so raw so open and so totally helpless. Im still boxing on, I lost my livelihood, my two best horses and 16 close friends, in the space of two hours most my social contacts were wiped out, where am I now, well I live hour by hour, you don’t know where or when its going to strike, you could be in public or at 2am but you find yourself just blubbing, no one is a victim but we will always be unified as survivors, so go get a life before you judge.
No one’s “judging”, Joanne. Good luck.
Hi All, a tattoo is a personal thing l am struggling with why there is even a debate.How is my decision to be tattooed even worth a discussion. As the partner of the tattoist who did the black saturday tatts, walk with me for a moment and listen ,feel, and believe .Each of us had to do what we needed to do.The tatts unified at a moment of immense grief and suffering, l am so proud to stand to say l am survived, l love ,l am here.
There’s no “debate”, Kaye, just opinions.
hello all i am Simon Drews the tattoo is on me and i am proud to say i survived and yes we lost a lot of people on the day and its like a respect thing too for those who are no longer with us. i have since lost my dad and have a tattoo i got at this time too. i all have got a tattoo off my 4 kids on my forearm i will not lose this photo.