on 06-07-2020 08:55 AM
Still without water or heating, some bushfire survivors are struggling through a bitter winter.
but hey, spare a thought for our politicians, they too are struggling through a bitter winter!
the PM is forced to keep warm with his last piece of coal!
on 08-07-2020 08:49 PM
I watched 4 corners too. Heartbreaking for one of the guys Jade in particular from Cobargo. He and his aunty, parents all lost their properties. He broke down when asked about Patrick and his father Robert Salway killed by a fireball. Just devastating. There are government grants to apply for but because the forms are so complicated to fill out people are just not applying. So many that didn't have any insurance living in caravans, many without water.
on 08-07-2020 10:02 PM
@debra9275 wrote:She meant it to go to the RFS...
err.. no she didn't that's why it ended up in court
After the fundraiser went viral, Barber had indeed intended for money to go to victims.
“I’m going to make sure that Victoria gets some, that South Australia gets some, also families of people who have died in these fires, the wildlife,” she said.
“I’m hearing you all. I want you to know that, otherwise why raise this money if it’s not going to go to the people who absolutely need it.”
What matters is the way she set it up, and the way it was set up was to provide all the equipment needed, like breathing apparatus, for the firefighters. And also some of the money will go to families of the firefighters who died. I believe she started the fund raiser when there was a publicity about the facts that some of the firefighters did not have any protection against smoke. The NSW Fire Brigade (what ever it is called) actually wanted to share the money with other states, but were told they cannot; the money has to be spent exactly within the parameters set. You cannot do it any other way; if it was possible to change the rules that would mean somebody could get people to donate for homeless teenagers, and then give it to "save feral animals fund" or whatever.. If funds were not going strictly as it was originally directed, people would be not be willing to donate.
on 10-07-2020 07:23 AM
ive koalas evacuated from the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in Canberra during the summer bushfires have finally been able to return home.
Jed, Scully, Billa, Gulu and Yellow were taken to the safety of the Australian National University specialist Endangered Species quarters, just before the Orroral Valley bushfire burned through 22 percent of the reserve.
Wildlife team leader Dr Sarah May said the koalas knew exactly where they were and were very happy to be home.
on 10-07-2020 07:39 AM
@icyfroth wrote:ive koalas evacuated from the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in Canberra during the summer bushfires have finally been able to return home.
Jed, Scully, Billa, Gulu and Yellow were taken to the safety of the Australian National University specialist Endangered Species quarters, just before the Orroral Valley bushfire burned through 22 percent of the reserve.
Wildlife team leader Dr Sarah May said the koalas knew exactly where they were and were very happy to be home.
At least the koalas are looked after
on 10-07-2020 07:40 AM
@tulip*place wrote:I watched 4 corners too. Heartbreaking for one of the guys Jade in particular from Cobargo. He and his aunty, parents all lost their properties. He broke down when asked about Patrick and his father Robert Salway killed by a fireball. Just devastating. There are government grants to apply for but because the forms are so complicated to fill out people are just not applying. So many that didn't have any insurance living in caravans, many without water.
Is the public service attitudes
on 10-07-2020 08:40 AM
on 17-07-2020 08:46 PM
just further to this donations story
NSW upper house looks into change after court said comedian’s bushfire fundraiser money must all go to RFS
on 20-07-2020 01:01 PM
I am not sure if I think it is a good thing. In meanwhile, while the legalities are going to be argued about, NOBODY gets anything. Just because one celeb did not get a proper legal person to set her fundraiser. The funds should be released, so the nominated firefighters and the families of those who died, can get their money. Now, if the money is used to buy extra trucks and equipment, these firefighters will be able to help less well equipped colleagues, as they always do. There is not much time before the next fire season.
There are other funds that can help those living in tents and caravans. I do really feel for them; even with my gas heater living room, and oil filled heaters in bedrooms, and living in well insulated double brick house, I can feel the cold.
on 08-08-2020 05:41 AM
and in the meantime, a good news story for Merimbula
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-08/merimbula-receives-bushfire-donation-from-png/12531970
on 10-08-2020 09:11 PM
@cezm wrote:and in the meantime, a good news story for Merimbula
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-08/merimbula-receives-bushfire-donation-from-png/12531970
That story is amazing