Bushfire Response

With bushfires continuing to cause death and destruction within our region the question has been asked by many Rotarians as what we can do to help?

Firstly, 4 Rotary Clubs in our District have established Relief programs to assist those who have suffered major loss by fires in their areas. These are Taree on Manning, Kempsey, Armidale and Armidale AM. Each of these efforts is concentrated on providing some relief to those impacted by 4 distinct major fires. Each has applied for and received funding from the Rotary Australia Compassionate Grants program.

Our Club has donated $2,000 to the Kempsey program as I believe we should support our fellow Rotarians who are on the ground and able to deliver help where it is most needed.

We have been fortunate that the devastation caused to farms and properties elsewhere has not been so widespread in the Hastings Area. The firefighting effort in our area has been ongoing for 4 months now and our firefighters deserve our support. Assistance has been requested on three fronts. Wauchope is co-ordinating assistance at the RFS Centre in Wauchope and I will forward President George Campbell’s email to all. Sunrise Club has established Farmer Joe’s Pantry at Wauchope to help those with limited funds to get basic food and household supplies at no cost. Westport Rotary Club is assisting with providing Breakfast for visiting firefighters located at CSU.

Each of these requires the ongoing support of all Rotarians if our Community is to get through this period.

Please do what you can, including supporting the other Clubs in their Fundraising.

Full details are available by logging on to -RAWCS.com.au
website where the Bushfire Relief programs are listed on the Home page.

Kind regards
Bob Cleland – President.