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| Bush Fire Relief Continues |
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| Thursday, 01 October 2009 | |
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Bayside Community Care Coordinator Deborah Gates believes even though the fires took place eight months ago, the needs are still great in the community and families are still struggling. “For most the bush fires took place ages ago, but for many families the reality of what took place is still there. Requests for white goods and other support are still coming in daily. Families are slowly rebuilding physically, while also working through the emotional issues related to their losses in the fires. We aim to relieve some of the pressures incurred by not having a working fridge or a washing machine,” said Ms Gates. In June, Bayside Church implemented a “White Goods Program” and as a result brand new white goods have been purchased and delivered to 105 families in the Hurstbridge and Kinglake areas. The demand has been great as the majority of families require fridges, washing machines and clothes dryers. Practical items have made a big difference to survivors who lost everything. “We have a daughter Indigo and a baby due in January, I plan to write our story down for her and I do know I will certainly be telling her that people like you who don't know us care enough about us to think of this wonderful gift, which is really very hard to put into words,” said one survivor. Funds have been donated to two families in Marysville to support their rebuilding and resettling following the fires. As well as, the Eaglehawk Relief Centre in Bendigo and the Bendigo CFA whose resources were exhausted during the fires. This money will assist them to replace some of their equipment. More than 230 boxes of clothes, food and practical items were transported to Bendigo in March and an additional 100 hundred boxes were shipped to the town of Donald in support of their aid work in September. Bayside Church also continues to work closely with the Hurstbridge Relief Centre and their dedicated volunteers to help assess and meet needs of bush fire victims. |
Eight months since Black Saturday and Bayside Church continues to provide relief to bush fire affected families and individuals.