Victorian Bushfire Relief Program 2009

Four members of the Rotary Club of Edwardstown and one from the Rotary Club of Holdfast Bay needed to break their journey from Adelaide to Budgeree in Gippsland, south west of Traralgon.

They were delivering approximately $32,000 worth of goods to 20 families who had lost everything in the Black Saturday bushfires.

This was a follow up from an earlier delivery they had made in July to the Calignee community.

Earlier in the year Club members had approached the Governor of District 9820 seeking approval to obtain and deliver desperately needed goods to some devastated Victorian communities.

They organised a co-ordinator on the ground who identified families in special need and made up lists of general items ranging from rakes and brooms to sleeping bags, children's toys, irons and ironing boards, baking dishes and non perishable foods.

Driving straight through was a bit much so they found our website and contacted Past President Michael Scarlett to ask for home hosting for one night and a secure lockup for their trucks. Three members offered to host the travellers and arrangements were made to meet them at premises where they could secure their vehicles. It turned out that Satellite Navigation systems do not always suggest the most direct route - but they found the right address eventually.

After the opportunity to clean up, all met at a local Italian Restaurant for a great sociable evening.

The following early morning start co-incided with one of Ballarat's biggest downpours for the past several years. The rain came down in torrents and just kept on and on with people making mad dashes in and out of shelter trying to get organised and luggage loaded.

It was a great opportunity for some of our members to see first hand just what a great effort the Rotary Club of Edwardstown has made to help residents of a devasted community far removed from their own.