The Pappinbarra community say the support from Port Macquarie/Hastings region residents following the devastating bushfires on Sunday February 12 has been overwhelming.
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Donations of food and household items have come in steadily over the nine days since the fire. The most common question asked is “What can we do to help?”
To answer this question in a way that truly meets the need of those affected by the fires, Pappinbarra Progress Association President, Lisa McLeod has been working to create a register of properties affected.
“We asked people to let us know what they needed, rather than just make assumptions, so now we are better informed about how people can help.
“Clearly, those who have lost their homes are in the utmost position for our thoughts, and funds are being raised by Wauchope Rotary - serving the Wauchope Community to address this.” Lisa stated.
“However, what we have learnt is that everyone who filled in a form to let us know how their properties were affected is impacted by the loss of feed for animals and having damaged or destroyed stock fencing.”
Many properties have had total feed losses and are no longer able to maintain stock levels, impacting on these people’s ability to earn an income from their properties.
While even now the grass is sticking its green heads up in between all the black, winter feed is out of the question.
Stock fencing is also a major issue, with some properties having total fence losses. The fund will try to provide fencing for livestock and crops, as well as fodder.
Domestic fencing is not included as this should be covered by most insurance companies where rural fencing is typically not able to be covered.
The aim of the “Fodder, Fencing & Farm Gear” fundraiser is to help all of the farms in the region, including those who lost their homes, with getting their farms back to normal.
The fund will be administered by the Pappinbarra Progress Association. Residents affected by the fires need to complete a form to register for assistance.
Forms are available on the Rebuild Pappinbarra Facebook page or by emailing pappinbarra.unites@gmail.com to request a form.
$555 has already been donated at https://www.chuffed.org/project/rebuild-pappinbarra-farms
Letitia Fitzpatrick
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
