Whitegoods, clothing and $30,000 in donations have arrived in Castlemaine, as Lions Club members from Victoria and New South Wales unite to support ongoing recovery efforts. On Wednesday afternoon, community groups gathered at the Castlemaine Distribution Centre.
Long-serving Lions member and Disaster Relief Chair Ged McLaughlin announced that $30,000 from the Lions district disaster fund would be made available this week to support revegetation efforts for fire victims.
“We want to make things feel like the grass is coming back again … to help bring lifeback into their community,” Ged said.
District Director Samantha Wu assisted in coordinating the donation and oversees 74 clubs across northern Victoria. The district, spanning from Swan Hill to Melbourne, has raised $220,000 for their disaster fund.
Lions Sydney District Governor Mohan Nanayakkara and former District Governor Ron Gattone departed from New South Wales at 5am to deliver 40 kilograms of donated clothing to the Castlemaine distribution centre. The group also stopped in Bendigo to purchase additional whitegoods. 11 new microwaves and 10 new rice cookers were donated. The hand-off was also attended by a number of local Lions Club Members.
Samantha Wu presented Castlemaine Distribution Centre organiser Tania Butterworth with a certificate of appreciation for her efforts within the area.
“Without the community groups we wouldn’t be here,” Tania said.
Members of other service organisations were also in attendance. Trevor Bray, President of the Rotary Club of Castlemaine spoke to the group.
Trevor highlighted the collaborative effort between Lions and Rotary clubs in the Harcourt region.
Both the Rotary and Lions clubs contributed to funding the stage at James Park in time for Harcourt Apple Fest earlier this month. At least 40 Rotarians have assisted on the ground toward the ongoing relief effort.
As recovery continues,the distribution centre remains a key point of support for residents rebuilding after the January fires