Victorian Bushfire Assistance
20 December 2009
What an incredible Tasmanian effort.
Our last Rotary/Timber Communities Australia work team has arrived back in Tasmania to complete what has been probably the one of the largest combined relief efforts ever dispatched from Tasmania. A total of almost 200 Tasmanians were each able to devote a week of time to assist those impacted by the Churchill fire. Tasmanian teams headed into the hills of Traralgon South to be part of a 500 km. fencing programme spreading over a 9 month period. So successful was this programme that we were able to introduce a non fencing project with the assistance of the Traralgon Rotary Club. This enabled many not experienced in farm fencing to be involved with significant building projects & to experience the rewards of being part of such a major recovery programme.
We want to extend our thanks to all that made a contribution to such an incredible effort. There are far too many to personally thank but special thanks to our major sponsors - Gaffneys who loaned us a tractor for 9 months with Robert Stokes post driver; T.T. Line who transported all work party members & vehicles; Toll Shipping for transporting machinery; Meander TCA for providing a fencing tool kit, Gunns for assisting with treated posts & timber and the Cowwarr Cricket Club Hotel for accommodating and feeding many of the teams. These sponsors made it all possible!
Without the cooperation of Rotary District 9830, Tasmania; Timber Communities Australia, (Tas); and The Rotary Clubs of Hazelwood, Traralgon & Traralgon Central this could not have happened. An outstanding partnership that delivered.
But far exceeding the physical contribution & number of km. of fencing & sheds built has been the moral support that the Tasmanians have provided. Examples of that have been widespread. Let’s also not forget the impact of the Rocky Cape tulips, the 1000s of coat hangers, rhododendrons and loads of Tassie vegetables that headed across Bass Strait with the teams. Add to this, the Tasmanian accommodation organised & donated for fire effected families & the “Art from the Heart” Tasman Rotary Club initiative. The Blue Gum Quilters from Bruny Island and all of their quilts. Hoo Hoo put us on the City Link Toll way. And many, many, many more.
Peter Olorenshaw (Ollie) Police/Community Liason officer best sums up the Tasmanian volunteers ” Their presence brings smiles of joy from tears of desperation in the daunting task of rebuilding infrastructure. We are just so grateful for their continued support and your commitment has been priceless. Our farmers & residents will remember your people and they will be forever in our hearts”
Barry & Ian want to thank you all for the part that you have played. We have been humbled and well rewarded by the experience of working with so many dedicated folk.
Christmas best wishes to you all, & from the many letters of thanks received by us both, we can assure you all that there are many fire effected families that will enjoy a happier Christmas as a result of the combined Tasmanian effort.
Barry Chipman & Ian Chalk. (Timber Communities & Rotary work party coordinators.)
11 December 2009
Committee Interim Report
An interim report of the Committee controlling this exercise has been issued.
The Committee have paid three visits to the Victorian Bushfire affected areas identifying and monitoring assistance that has been approved by the Tasmanian committee. People from the local Rotary clubs worked as part of the committees of groups to whom we have made grants.
The recovery effort has been a superb co-operative effort with the Victorian Districts, a South Australian District and one from Southern New South Wales working with Rotary Clubs and District officials from the 5 Victorian districts.
Major Funding projects to date;
- Marysville Business Hub $75,000.
- Kinglake Youth Space Building $100,000.
- Traralgon South Men’s Shed & Community Centre $55,000.
- Jerralang North Community Hall Reinstatement $45,0000
- Labertouche Community Centre $20,0000
- Fodder Provision $100,000 o Small Projects $40,0000
- Fencing reconstruction $50,0000
- Healseville Rotary Club relief to Kinglake-Marysville $20,0000
- Air Fare assistance for Tasman Peninsula Holiday Break $3000
- Calligni Community Centre $25,0000
- Little Athletics Equipment $2000
Thirty combined Rotary/Tasmania Timber Communities teams have assisted in fencing re-instatement and building repairs.
Our involvement in the recovery process is best summed up by Tony Harrup Treasurer of the Traralgon South & District Association,
“As a community we are overwhelmed by the support of Rotary District 9830 Tasmania and the Tasmanian Community with our bushfire recovery and rebuilding. The Men’s Shed & Community complex will be a fantastic community owned asset for many generations to come”
PDG Michael Perkins (Chair)
President Kim Pitt Rotary Club of Kingston
PP Gerrard Blizzard Rotary Club of Smithton.
10 September 2009"
Art from the Heart
The "ART FROM THE HEART " project is an initiative of President Marian Larner of the Rotary Club of Tasman Peninsula. The aim is to try to get every Rotary club in Tasmania involved in gathering paintings from friends, artists, or businesses to be sent to Traralgon for distribution to those people who lost their houses and therefore also their paintings. The people will be invited to choose the art works for themselves as art appreciation is a personal thing.
PP Chris Payne, of Hazelwood Rotary Club, has suggested hiring a hall and to display the works for every one to see and choose.
The whole exercise will come under the banner of all Tasmanian Rotary clubs not just the Tasman club.
Packaging and transport to Traralgon will be the only major cost.
Rotary Club of Tasman Peninsula intend to apply for a Rotary Simplified grant to cover this expense.
CONTACT: PRESIDENT MARIAN LARNER larner01@gmail.com
PO Box 1374 Port Arthur Tasmania 7182
Ph. 6250 2161 or 0419 505820
The Rotary Club of Tasman Peninsula
Incorporated
PO Box 644 Nubeena Tasmania 7184
9 September 2009
Rotary Club of Tasman Peninsula reported
Last week , on 29th Aug. some of us enjoyed a special meeting held at Don’s property Cascades. It was to welcome three Victorian Bushfire families, namely Peter Harrison and his three lovely daughters, Andrea Gordon and her three lovely daughters as well as Megan Cheney and her lovely three daughters. (the nine girls were known to each other and it was a co-incidence that they were all here at the same time).
The weather was rather wet but the company was good. Peter and Andrea presented a DVD on the fires and spoke about their experiences last February. They also spoke about their work as volunteers at the Traralgon recovery centre.
10 August 2009
Mike Whitehouse reports on Bush Fire Relief in Traralgon, Gippsland
“As we were driven around the area we noticed the signs of new growth - green grass, gums sprouting, heavy machinery such as excavators busy at work. But there were also signs of the tragedy which had unfolded – burnt out wrecks of cars and house sites which had not yet been cleared and police tape across drives, the red and white denoting a crime scene, the blue and white denoting deceased persons. Most of the latter had been removed.
The areas of pine plantation were most striking – bare-
black trees
and white ash covering the ground. Some of the sights like the burnt children’s trampolines were the most poignant.
We got the impression that life had been idyllic but now the challenge was to get back a basic standard of living.
Another task we undertook was delivering supplies of dry firewood to homes in various parts of the Traralgon South area, as well as small wood heaters to help them through the cold winter. As we visited homes we took time to talk to them and listen to their accounts of the fire. We met some lovely people and the gifts we brought from Tasmania were very well received. Our experience was most fulfilling. We were very well received by the local people including Rotarians from three local clubs.
We really felt that we had made a difference in the lives of a few people and we all left with a feeling that we intended to return.”
25 July 2009
Letter to All Club Presidents from PDG Michael Perkins,
We are seeking people to assist with the recovery of communities in Victoria affected by the fires earlier this year.
The work teams ideally consist of a party of five or six volunteers engaged in either fencing reconstruction or re-establishment of small buildings and landscaping activities.
Fencing. This project is in partnership with Timber Communities Aust. (Tas).
There must be at least one experienced tractor driver, 1 qualified chainsaw operator and 1 experienced farm fencer. The balance of the team need only to be prepared for the challenging and rewarding role of helping those in need.
.
For those people wishing to be involved in rehabilitation of gardens, painting & community projects etc. which are co-ordinated by the local Relief Centre their skills also can be utilized.
This work is typically of the DIY category.
It is preferable for each team to have it’s own vehicle/s as travel from the country centre’s to the work sites is involved.
All sea transport, fuel costs and accommodation are being meet by generous supporters.
Work Parties will travel to Victoria each Tuesday evening, departing for home the following Wednesday evening . Local Rotary clubs would encourage your attendance at meetings when possible on Mon & Tues. evenings where you will be made especially welcome.
(At this time TT-Line is offering vehicle transport and accommodation on the ferry to team participants free of charge)
Rotarians and volunteers are covered by the Rotary Insurance Policy.
10 July 2009
Work Party Tasks Continue
There continues to be an amazing response to the combined Rotary / Timber Communities work parties in the Gippsland area.
Fencing team number 15 and non- fencing team
number 2 are now on the ground. 
Fencing remains the top priority for anyone with suitable experience, but this note is directed to those considering a non- fencing opportunity / experience.
Work will be mostly at the general handy man/DIY level and teams will need to organize their own tools and gear to take with them.
We suggest teams of 4/5 and we can provide unit accommodation in a caravan park. We can also move people and vehicles across Bass Strait with TT Line at no cost.
Further details from Ian Chalk at: ijchalk@bigpond.com - 64 42 3001 or 0419 337 355.
or Kevin Headlam at kevin.headlam@internode.on.net or 0409 976 526
8 April 2009
District 9830 Committee Announced
A district committee has been formed to administer the disbursement of the funds given to the bushfire appeal. The members are:
- DG Michael Perkins
- President Kim Pitt Rotary Club of Kingston
- PP Gerrard Blizzard Rotary Club of Smithton.
This group will work in conjunction with the committee established by the five District Governors in Victoria of which DG Michael is a member. The first committee meeting of the “Unified Victorian Rotary Committee” will be in Melbourne 21/4/09.
5 April 2009
Tasmanian Rotarians in Fencing Team
The second Tassie Fencing Crew sends their sincerest thanks to you all for your support and assistance for such a rewarding week of fencing in Victoria.
Especially to the crew and to those from Timber Communities and Rotary who made it all such a special experience.
At this stage probably one fencing team is sufficient but now to prepare for general assistance teams for those not up with the experience required on tractors & chainsaws.
These oportunities are now being explored for us.
From Ian Chalk
 |
 |
|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
23 February 2009
Victorian Bushfire Appeal
The Tasmania Government's generous offer to match our fund raising efforts dollar f
or dollar has spurred many to take up the challenge not only among the Family of Rotary, but also in the wider Tasmanian community who recognise Rotary as a community organisation that can be trusted.
In the space of five short weeks people have contributed in excess of five hundred and fifty thousand dollars to assist those people who have in many cases lost everything as a consequence of this disaster. The trust that has been placed in us by the community is indeed very gratifying and we have the responsibility now to ensure that these funds reach those in need..
David Lanham, General Manager of State Wide Independent Wholesalers presented a cheque for $30.000 on behalf of that organisation, IGA, and the Food and Allied Trades Association. St Luke's Health presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Rotary appeal.
Tasmania Rotary will forward the money to the Victorian Rotary Districts involved with the fire and will have a representative on their management committee.
(Photo shows a load of hay from Scottsdale Tasmania delivered to fire-ravaged Yea, Victoria, (Courtesy D9830 DG Newsletter)