Donation set to help fireys fight another day

Thousands of volunteer firefighters and dozens of towns ravaged during the black summer will get $500,000 worth of donations from News Corp Australia.

Villeneuve Rural Fire Brigade members Brock Purdie, left, Ian Swadling and Jacob Murphy. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Thousands of volunteer firefighters and dozens of towns ravaged during the Black Summer will get a much-needed boost as News Corp Australia unveils nearly $500,000 worth of donations to help those pommeled by the 2019-20 bushfires.

The latest round of grants from News Corp Australia will go to wildlife hospitals, rural fire ­stations and landcare projects to rejuvenate communities and prepare for the upcoming summer.

Villeneuve volunteer firefighter Ian Swadling, who has defended his community for more than 30 years, said the $50,000 donation to the Rural Fire Brigade Association of Queensland would help his crew replace trucks and marquees badly damaged during the black summer.

“This is a very generous donation, it will be a big help,” he told The Australian.

“Our vehicles were really worked into the ground during the summer. A lot of the older ­vehicles need repairs and replacements. Chainsaws need replacing, the marquees were also badly hit.

“This donation from News Corp Australia is a great boost of morale for the crew — $50,000 or $5, it’s really appreciated.

“It’s kindness like this — and what we saw during the fires with little cards from children and ­people delivering water bottles — that really keeps us going.”

News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch donated $5m in January to aid the immediate effort to fight the summer bushfires and invest in those towns worst hit. Since then, News Corp Australia has raised an extra $1.8m and more than $2m in donations already went out to community groups and firefighters.

Thursday’s rounds of do­nations include $48,000 to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, $49,500 to Lachlan Fire Station in rural Tasmania, $300,000 to two ­Landcare projects in north Queensland and Eastern Victoria, and the ­donation to the RFBAQ.

News Corp Australia’s community ambassador Penny Fowler said investing in rural and regional recovery would continue to be a priority.

“We are pleased to continue our support of rural and regional Australia, in particular, bushfire-affected areas in Queens­land and Tasmania that have been through one of the toughest years on ­record,” she said.

“We are also delighted to support Landcare Australia, which has been on the ground working with communities for 30 years.

“These projects will go a long way towards restoring habitats and assisting in the mental wellness of communities still struggling with the events of the year.”

Donations to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital will be used to purchase a rescue 4WD car to help them save more koalas and other animals in the fire’s path.

Money to the Lachlan Fire Station — famous for the motto “Protecting Hobart’s Rear End” — will save the station from constant flooding and bring it in line with work-safety rules.

Projects funded in East Gippsland and Capricornia will help Landcare Australia prepare exit routes, water routes and fire shelters with local landowners.

Landcare Australia chief executive Shane Norrish said the two donations of $150,000 would empower communities rebuilding from the bushfires and getting ready for the next one. “This support is helping to rebuild communities with on-ground projects, including habitat restoration, wellbeing and mental health activities, as well as engaging volunteers.”