Page 7 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 11 February 2020
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one of many organisations that volunteered to serve meals to those who were escaping the South Coast fires. I pay particular tribute to the Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul, Anglicare, St John Ambulance, the Salvation Army, the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, Domestic Animal Services, Communities@Work, the Community Services Directorate and other organisations who supported the people who needed support as a result of the fires.
During the high levels of smoke that we had there were many unsung heroes on social media and elsewhere who provided support and advice. To the teams at the hospitals, local chemists and pharmacists, the Chief Health Officer and the directorate and so many others, thank you. Across Canberra in the extremely difficult times where we saw the worst of nature we also saw the best of humanity.
We saw so many people from all walks of life stand up to do what they could. At a time when so many people were feeling helpless, others created opportunities and inspired others to help. To people like Andrew Dale from the “G” Spot, Mohammed Ali from HelpingACT and so many others, thank you. To Jonathan Bolkenhagen, who was one of many who selflessly posted on Facebook that he and his ute were on standby, to the Canberra Sikh community, who were so generous in taking a convoy to the South Coast, to the Federation of Chinese Associations of the ACT who gave $22,000—thank you. To the Mercy Association for the Underprivileged, who quietly gave $10,000 to the Red Cross before Christmas, thank you. Of course, to the owners of the Bungendore fridge and all who stocked it, thank you. This is just a snapshot of the many who contributed to our community.
The reality is that there never will be an exhaustive list of everyone whose generosity and compassion came through this summer. The Canberra community rallied to support our city and the region, and I am proud of this city. There will be a time to reflect on policies and preparedness. We need to make sure that we are doing what we can regarding climate change, to make sure that the ESA and the RFS have the resources that they need and to make sure that we are managing the bush properly. We also need to engage with the Aboriginal custodians of this land to learn from them about traditional land management practices.
To the rural landowners of Canberra, I thank you for playing a very important role in defending the ACT. For establishing and maintaining fire breaks and trails, for keeping weeds and pests at bay and for all the other things you do to manage this important land, we thank you.
On top of all this great work in support of the bushfire effort, Canberra had to contend with the storm season as well. Thanks to the SES and other volunteers who worked so hard to assist those who were affected by the hailstorm. Thank you to the public servants who have been putting in overtime to handle the influx of work that has been generated as a result of these storms. The recovery effort is only just beginning, and for some areas it will be some time before it can even begin. The communities that have been devastated by bushfires need us now more than ever before.
Much of the coast is still pristine and we are lucky to have such a beautiful place to visit so close to Canberra. I urge Canberrans to visit these communities and to support
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