The bleak aftermath of Black Summer bushfires on the NSW South Coast. Photo: Lisa Herbert.
Applications are open for the Eurobodalla Disaster Relief Fund for people who lost their homes in the Black Summer bushfires, with more than $319,353 donated by 135 organisations and communities to be distributed.
Eurobodalla Shire Council has relaunched the fund’s first phase to make payments of up to $1000 to people whose primary residence suffered damage beyond repair.
Eurobodalla Disaster Relief Management Committee member and Mayor Rob Pollock recently participated in an online event during which the Vietnamese Community in Australia presented the fund with $20,000.
“These were people who wanted to repay the nation that took them in after they fled Vietnam,” he said.
“It was wrong for them to feel they owed us. Most arrived here without anything. What they’ve each contributed to our society is thanks enough.
“I promised the money that we were so grateful to receive would be dispensed with the greatest amount of responsibility to get the best result for the people who really need it.”
Mayor Pollock said donations to the fund were incredibly humbling, from the Oberon kids who raised money through a cake stall, to the biggest single donation of $70,000.
“We’ve seen donations from individuals, the business community, school kids – there’s no section of the community which hasn’t contributed,” he said.
“It just proves what a great country we live in – when the chips are down, people really come to the fore.”
Owner-occupiers or tenants whose primary place of residence suffered damage beyond repair during the bushfires, as listed on the Service NSW database, are encouraged to apply for the financial payment if they have not yet received support in the first phase.
Residents can apply by downloading or filling in an online application form.
Staff at the Eurobodalla Bushfire Recovery Support Service are available to assist with the application process, and can be contacted at 46 Vulcan Street, Moruya, or by phone on 02 4474 7434.
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