Fire Shed Fridays: an update
Back in February we introduced you to the Community Foundation for the Tumut Region’s (CFTR) Fire Shed Fridays—an ongoing ‘thank you’ project for those who risked so much for the region’s residents during and after the devastation of the Black Summer fires of 2019/20. Supported financially by Global Giving, the Fremantle Foundation’s Fire Fund, Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the wider community, CFTR Chair Louise Halsey now has a further update on the success of this terrific project.
Louise has told us that CFTR has received a grant from St Vincent De Paul bush fire grants for 100 UHF hand held receivers—to distribute to Snowy Valleys residents in remote locations where mobile reception is often non-existent. In addition to this, following the generosity of Global Giving’s donations, the CFTR was able to then purchase an additional 25 UHF receivers. Louise also received a wonderful email from local residents Douglas and Berlinde Rand, who were, amongst many others, gifted a pair of UHF handheld radios;
“This is a very thoughtful and extremely practical help to us in our farm operation, and we were impressed by your choice of a rugged and high-quality brand. They will certainly be well used,” Douglas and Berlinde wrote. “We would also like to communicate to you how touched we are that you continue to remember us. From your first contact with us after the Dunns Road fire till now, it means a lot to us, and no doubt others in the community who benefit from your work, that you understand that the reconstruction after the fires is a years-long process. Knowing that there is a local community foundation which is with us for the long haul is incredibly gratifying and reassuring”.
Louise let us know that “a group of residents with the new hand-held receivers are now using them on a regular basis for a catch beer on Friday night. It’s a great outcome, bringing communities together in readiness for the next disaster which we hope is a long way off”.
For more information: Community Foundation for the Tumut Region.
Community Foundations Australia is keen to hear stories from across our network. If you are a member of Community Foundations Australia and have a great story to tell, please get in touch with our Communications Co-ordinator, Mandy Beaumont at mandy@cfaustralia.org.au
