Bushfire fundraisers: Prahran Market, Mt Dandenong Hotel, Gamr
From doing your laundry to heading out for a drink, snag, or game of laser tag, there are plenty of ways you can assist the bushfire appeals in Melbourne’s east.
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While Australia’s largest bushfire crisis continues to ravage the country, it’s heartwarming to see so many groups seeking to help support the fire services and victims.
Organisations across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs are hosting events to fundraise this weekend, from family friendly activities, to live music and drinks, and fundraisers centred around regular errands including laundry and grocery shopping.
Many are free and only require contributing whatever money you can afford.
Here’s our list of some of the ways you get out and support those impacted by the bushfires.
>> Know of other events? Comment below.
FAMILY FUN AT THE POOL
Surrey Park Swimming will be hosting a pool party and sausage sizzle on Saturday at its Blackburn pool to raise money for Foodbank Victoria and Wildlife Victoria.
The club is offering free pool entry and sausages at the party.
In return it will be asking for cash donations, which it will match with its own funds.
Raffle tickets for donated prizes and swimming lessons will also be on offer.
Where: Surrey Park Swimming Blackburn, 313 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill South.
When: Saturday from 11am to 4pm, but swimming will wrap up at 3pm.
Please note: Children younger than 10 will need to be accompanied by an adult in the water.
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LITTLE RIVER MUSOS LIVE IN OLINDA
Mt Dandenong Hotel in Olinda is hosting a fundraiser to support its CFA brigades, Olinda and Kalorama this Saturday.
There will be a sausage sizzle, raffles, silent auctions and Steve Wade from Little River Band on guitar.
The pub will also be donating $1 from every drink special purchased.
Where: Mt Dandenong Hotel, 1451 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Olinda
When: Saturday from noon to 9pm
THE BASIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Basin Music Festival is returning again on Saturday and the annual event will be raising money for the East Gippsland Emergency Fund.
The free family-friendly event will feature all kinds of music, from pop to rock, bands to individuals, and will be run with the help of The Basin CFA brigade.
Donations will be taken throughout the afternoon.
Where: Mountain Highway and Forest Rd, The Basin.
When: 1pm to 7.30pm.
SHOPPING IN SOUTH YARRA
A group of Prahran Market traders will be setting up stalls to sell their produce on Saturday, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going towards the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
The traders will include Hagen’s Organic Meats, Q Le BAKER, Gary’s Meats, Maker & Monger, Market Lane Coffee and Blackhearts and Sparrows, while live music will be performed alongside them.
Where: Market Square, 163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra.
When: Saturday from 11am to 3pm.
LAUNDRETTE APPEAL IN FERNTREE GULLY
The owners of Dirty Laundry Laundrette at Ferntree Gully’s Mountain Gate Shopping Centre will be donating all money put the machines this weekend to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
They’re hoping doing the regular chore will help a load.
Where: Dirty Laundry, Shop 2, 1880 Ferntree Gully Rd, Ferntree Gully.
When: 6am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday.
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LASER TAG IN CHIRNSIDE PARK
Chirnside Park virtual reality gaming and laser tag company GAMR are hosting a fundraiser for Chirnside Park CFA brigade on Saturday.
The business will donate 50 per cent of their takings from laser tag, VR games and food to the cause.
There will also be silent auctions, raffles and face painting, with all proceeds going to the CFA.
Where: GAMR,25 Fletcher Rd, Chirnside Park.
When: Saturday from 10am to 10pm.