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BUSH FIRE |
| NOTES | |
| November 2009 |
This Rotary Club was in the forefront of the disaster which was Black Saturday, February 7th 2009. While Alexandra was not directly impacted by fire, we were under threat of ember attack for 5 days, our surrounding district was under direct threat for 3 weeks and the town was home to up to 600 fire-fighters, until rain removed the threat on March 3rd.
The towns in our Club district most impacted were Marysville –lost 418 houses, Buxton 84. Narbethong /Granton 75 and Taggerty 43 Houses. While some 50 people died in these areas [some personal friends of our members], probably the next most significant impact was the loss of businesses and jobs in Marysville, which has affected the whole district.
Marysville had 2500 Tourist beds in a range of major Guest Houses/Conference centers to Cottages and small Bed & Breakfast establishments. Most of the jobs in the Marysville area disappeared overnight and many of the residents had to find safety and accommodation in Alexandra. There were few homes in Alexandra on 7th February who did not house survivors, some for many nights.
The immediate impact on our Club was in Catering for the Relief Centre and many other volunteers in the area , as the front agency for the Red Cross [an average of 1400 Meals a day for 2 weeks.].
Secondly, in managing and operating the receipt and distribution of a river of donated goods, on behalf of the Shire. When this service was withdrawn by the State Government after 10 weeks, some 208 community volunteers [ including bus loads from business houses in Melbourne] and most of the Rotary Club had totaled over 8000 hours in these centers.
As the devastated district settled down to the reality of the post fire situation, enormous difficulties emerged :-
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temporary & long term replacement Housing & farm fencing |
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many district businesses suffering from loss of activity |
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hundreds of survivors without jobs or income, surviving on inadequate Centrelink handouts and failure of any Red Cross appeal funds. [until much later] |
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a lack of leadership and compassion from the authorities |
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the loss of much of the community infrastructure. |
This Club opened A BUSH FIRE RELIEF FUND and received many offers of help from District and Melbourne Clubs. At this date 9 months on, in November 2009, this Club, often in partnership with other Rotary Clubs, has:
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facilitated the donation and erection of 20 Rural Sheds, thanks to the Bayside Building Group and Sandringham Rotary Club. A project worth some $ 300,000. |
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Issued Vouchers to Survivors, redeemable only in district stores, for a value exceeding $80,000. |
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Supported many projects and Events in Marysville and surrounding areas, from playgrounds, to gardens, to “ Chook Houses”, weekly meals for survivors, construction of a Barbecue shelter, the Marysville Marathon, Craft Day. “Rising From the Ashes” Football Match, equipment for a Broadcasting Studio in Kinglake etc to a value of over $ 120,000 in total. |
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Initiated the purchase, finally by the State Government, of the Marysville Motor Museum as a shopping center. |
Nine months on, this community remains under considerable stress. Positive signs are emerging in Marysville, but the pace of rebuilding is still too slow. Problems and difficulties will continue for some ? years to come.
Our Appeal Fund remains open as
The Rotary Club of Alexandra Bush Fire Fund -
BSB 083 503
Account number 83 387 1572.
National Bank of Alexandra
or Rotary Club of Alexandra
PO Box 76,
Alexandra,
Victoria, Australia 3714
