Above: Ray Doig helps with the fire relief efforts in Labertouche. By Lia Bichel
MEMBERS of the Cranbourne Rotary Club have donated more than 100 hours to help Labertouche residents affected by Black Saturday.
Most weekends since the infernos spread through Victoria, members of the Rotary club have fund-raised, gathered donations, and contributed good old-fashioned manpower to help repair fire-damaged farming and rural properties.
“A lot of people have given up a lot of hours to help out. It’s not only our club members, but members’ families and friends too,” club member Bruce Peterson said.
“Other organisations are also helping out. It’s a great example of people helping out their fellow man when they are in trouble.”
The Cranbourne Rotary Club has raised an excess of $18,000, and has used the money to buy fencing materials for the relief efforts. They have also been gathering donations for hay and fencing materials for Labertouche victims who cannot afford it.
Mr Peterson said the members would continue to donate time and materials to the bushfire relief efforts for many months to come.
“There is a lot of work to do, so we will continue our work up there, and continue to gather donations,” he said.
“It’s times like this when our club gets out to help less fortunate people than ourselves.”
Anyone interested in participating in the working bees in Labertouche, donating hay and fodder to farmers, or joining Cranbourne Rotary Club can contact Bruce Peterson on 0418 346 907 or Cranbourne Rotary Club President Peter Scollo on 0407 358 823.
