Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association still keen to go in to bat for bushfire relief
The FTGDCA has been forced to put its bushfire relief T20 on hold for now but remains committed to throwing its support behind the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund.
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Despite its best efforts, the FTGDCA has been forced to put its T20 fundraiser match in aid of the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund on hold.
Originally scheduled for this Sunday, Australia Day, at Batterham Reserve, the unavailability of players because of prior commitments over the long weekend meant the association couldn’t get the match up and running in time and it has been postponed until a later date.
FTGDCA secretary Richard Millott was disappointed but remained upbeat, knowing the event will still occur and raise much-needed assistance for the fire-ravaged area.
“Obviously our preference would have been to have the event as advised, however given prior commitments of players well before this emergency began and the scale and magnitude of things unfolded, it made things tricky,” he said. “We also wanted to ensure that as many people had the ability to attend — families, kids and the community overall — and the middle of a long weekend, unfortunately, added complexity that couldn’t get us over the line.
“With that said, we will be looking at potential new dates — most likely in February — to relocate the match as the players, clubs and FTGDCA collectively are still passionate to raise funds for the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund and ensure our community is able to assist those in need.
“While we will be treated to a cracker of a match, we can do so in knowing that the day will go a long way towards returning communities back on their feet again.”
The association had planned to use the power of cricket in an effort to unite the community in the face of recent tragedy.
The fundraiser will feature the association’s representative squad pitted against an Invitational XI made up of past representative legends from within the association as well as up and coming talent and all proceeds will go towards the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund.
Bushfires have devastated communities across Australia over the past month, with lives, homes and communities in East Gippsland still under threat despite the heroic efforts of emergency services.
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, established in 1978, provides immediate assistance to communities affected by natural disaster events in the region.
Fund president John Mitchell, announced the appeal in December, noting the help received from within local communities and abroad.
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“Unfortunately Gippslanders are all too familiar with the devastating impacts fire, flood and other natural disasters can have on our region,” he said. “That said, we’ve always been able to rely on the goodwill of locals and friends from other communities to dig deep and give what they can during these trying times.
“So we’re asking local community members and corporate citizens, neighbours and friends from other communities to think about the plight of fire-affected East Gippsland communities and give whatever they can.”