Temora Community Reach out with Bushfire Donation

Published on 19 February 2020

In support of those affected by the devastating bushfires the Temora Shire has raised over $34,000 to support the relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts of those in the Snowy Valleys region.

Snowy Valleys Mayor Cr James Hayes was today personally presented with a donation cheque by Temora Shire Council Mayor Cr Rick Firman and General Manager Mr Gary Lavelle.

“On behalf of the Snowy Valleys community I would like to sincerely thank the people of Temora Shire for their generosity,” Cr Hayes said.

“The bushfire emergency has had a devastating and catastrophic impact on our communities, resulting in an overwhelming number of homes destroyed and houses, buildings and lands damaged and stock lost and it’s going to be a long road of recovery ahead,” he said.

“This donation will go directly to Snowy Valleys’ residents who have lost everything and I know I speak on thier behalf when I say thank you for your big-heartedness”.  

Temora Shire Council Mayor Cr Rick Firman said his community wanted to do something tangible to help with the bushfire crisis and he had been overwhelmed by the consistent generosity  and kindness displayed by the Temora people.

“Our region has been struggling with the drought but our people still rallied together to support those impacted from the fires and if the boot was on the other foot we know that the Snowy Valleys’ community would be there to help us ,” he said.

“On the very first day we had a little girl come in and donate $5.90 which was all her pocket money,” he said. “A local man raised over $1,300 by selling his watermelons around town and we had young girls baking cupcakes and selling them on street stalls to raise money to donate.

“We saw clubs, schools, farmers, businesses and individuals all doing what they could to help our friends and neighbours in the Snowy Valleys and it was the firm wish of the Temora community that all the funds raised be ring-fenced for Snowy Valleys’ residents who have lost everything”.

Cr Hayes said the donated monies would go directly into the Community Foundation for Tumut Region’s fund to then be distributed to those in need.

“The board of the Community Foundation is working to distribute assistance to those across the Snowy Valleys region who have been impacted by the fire and is supported by a subcommittee comprising representatives of The Bendigo Bank Adelong, Elders Adelong and Tumut, the Adelong Progress Association and Snowy Valleys Council.

“I have been consistently overwhelmed by the kindness and support displayed and how people from across the country have galvanised around care and assistance for those hardest impacted in our region.

“Our communities are resilient and with the support of people like our neighbours in Temora we will recover and be stronger than ever,” he said.