NSW Bushfires: Sutherland Shire raises $130,000 for south coast bushfire relief
The Sutherland Shire’s residents, businesses and local councils have united to provide significant cash donations and massive deliveries of essential supplies to south coast communities devastated by bushfires.
St George Shire Standard
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The Sutherland Shire community has rallied behind their friends in the south devastated by the horrific NSW bushfires with tens of thousands of dollars in donations and deliveries of essential supplies.
Popular tourist towns including Lake Conjola, Milton and Ulladulla have been ravaged by fires, with residents and visitors alike scrambling to find food, water, essential supplies and accommodations as the blazes raged on.
Sutherland Shire Council mayor Carmelo Pesce announced the council had offered its support.
“I am saddened by the devastation as these terrible fires continue, particularly so close to home in the NSW south coast communities that have experienced such destruction in recent days,” Mayor Pesce said.
“I have today reached out to the mayors of Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega to offer our support, both financially with a $50,000 contribution for the region and with resources to assist in the recovery efforts.”
Cr Pesce said Shire residents were strongly connected to the south coast and wanted to assist in the region’s time of desperate need.
“The Sutherland Shire has faced natural disasters in the past,” he said.
“My hope is that we can draw on that experience to support the local communities impacted by the fires as they begin the recovery process.”
Cr Pesce has also announced funding of $25,000 to support NSW emergency services as the bushfires continue.
“I would like to thank the ongoing efforts of the NSW Rural Fire Service and other emergency services, who continue to work tirelessly over a protracted period in difficult and dangerous conditions to protect communities,” he said.
“Hundreds of volunteers and emergency service workers, including from the Sutherland Shire have left their homes and loved ones over the holiday period to protect others, and on behalf of our entire community I extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude.”
Volunteer firefighters from Grays Point, Loftus, Menai and Illawong have been trucked in to assist with firefighting efforts between Nowra and Moruya on the state’s south coast and to the Gospers Mountain fire in the Hawkesbury River region.
Other local businesses and community organisations have also generously contributed to the relief efforts via significant donations.
Fergo’s Tackle World in Caringbah and Wollongong posted on social media they had raised more than $30,000 in donations in just 48 hours.
They have also been supported by Kollaras Group wholesalers in Wollongong, Filco Catering in Randwick, Gilders Transport in Warwick Farm and Athletic Culture Gym in Russell Vale near Wollongong to collect and transport masses of donations by truck.
NRL presenter Allana Ferguson, whose family owns Fergo’s Tackle World, said on Instagram the company had been “overwhelmed” by people’s generosity.
“A local legend Woody and his mates have teed up their vans and boats to get some essential items to people still stranded and waiting to evacuate,” she posted.
“We have filled them with water, food, sanitary essentials, Panadol, batteries and personal hygiene items.”
Generous residents in Menai, Bangor and Illawong also organised for a truck for Sylvania youth refuge Caretakers Cottage to transport masses of donations to the south coast.
Big W Menai, Coles Illawong and Woolworths Menai joined with local residents to donate essential supplies including bottled water, long life milk, cereal, nappies, toilet paper, toiletries and tinned food for the truck trip to the south coast.
“Thinking of you all,” a card from Woolworths Menai read.