Bushfire Recovery Update

Update from the District Bushfire Recovery Committee
Many Clubs are working well on their own or in conjunction with other Clubs to work through the recovery process. Many of the planned projects are under way and progressing well while others are being held up by COVID-19 restrictions and limitations. A few points to highlight what Rotary as well as many other organisations are doing towards the recovery are below. 
 
District Bushfire Recovery Committee - Update 10 August 2020
 
While I write this bushfire recovery update – many of the areas previously hit by the bushfires are or have recently been under the threat of floods!!  The extremes of living in Australia!!
 
Many Clubs are working well on their own or in conjunction with other Clubs to work through the recovery process.  Many of the planned projects are under way and progressing well while others are being held up by COVID-19 restrictions and limitations.  A few points to highlight what Rotary as well as many other organisations are doing towards the recovery:
  • From the National RAWCS Bushfire fundraiser – over $M1.2 has been distributed to Rotary Districts affected by the fires.  D9705 has received $325K from this fundraiser.
  • D9705 has also received a number of direct donations through our Districts RAWCS – RABS account including a $20K donation from a family trust that want the money targeted to the Mogo recovery program.
  • The National Committee has also distributed approx. $150K directly to projects supporting the recovery process with the last one approved being for Mental Health First Aid training to assist following the disaster.
  • The National Committee currently retains approx. $160K and is seeking applications for worthwhile projects to utilise this money.
  • D9705 also had $65K of money for use on bushfire projects which included $35K from the District, $27K donated by Rotarians and Rotary Districts in Thailand and a couple of other private donations.  The money from Thailand – at the request of the Thai’s - was targeted at flora and fauna recovery.
  • The Rotary Club of Merimbula received a donation $61K through the District Committee from the people of Lai in PNG.  $50K went to the Bega Valley Council Recovery project and $11K was retained by the Club and will be utilised to support BlazeAid in the Bega Valley Shire.at
  • The Sapphire Coast Clubs with the support of a Sydney Club and a grant from the District Bushfire Committee have constructed a pavilion at Kiah to support that community following the loss of their community hall in the fires.
  • The Corrimal Rotary Club has split $50K between the Milton Ulladulla Club and the Bega Club to support their bushfire recovery projects.
  • The Rotary Clubs of Parkes & Forbes are working with their local Men’s Sheds to produce nesting boxes for the Sapphire Coast.
  • Beautiful Handcrafted quilts have been supplied by a quilting group from the mid north coast and they have been distributed to the Sapphire Coast, Eurobodalla Coast and Snowy Valley Shire.
  • A hub has been set up in Mogo by the Batemans Bay Club and it provides mental health as well as other aspects of support to the Mogo community.
There are many other projects going on as part of the recovery process and many Clubs are involved in what will be a long term process.  The District Committee knows that there are some larger projects in the pipeline – particularly in the Snowy Valley, Bega Valley and Eurobodalla Shires.  The Committee has funds available to assist Clubs with the recovery process.  For further information please contact Phil Armstrong or John Mercer from the District Committee – contact details are included in the District Directory.  
 
Phil Armstrong
Chair District 9705 Bushfire Recovery Committee
Mobile: 0418 259 963
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