Ballina Electorate Media Releases
Congratulations To Brunswick Valley For Their Generosity (06/04/2009)
Member for Ballina, Don Page commended the Brunswick Valley residents for their tremendous fundraising efforts for the Victorian Bushfire victims.
“A total of $31,128 was raised with $25,000 coming from the Brunswick Hotel. That is an inspiring effort and the community are to be commended for their generosity,” Mr Page said.
“I spoke in Parliament recently, offering condolences to the bushfire victims on behalf of the Ballina Electorate,” he said.
The tragedy, which unfolded on Black Saturday, 7 February took the lives of almost 200 people and seriously injured more than 500 people. 2,000 homes were destroyed in the disaster.
“I paid tribute to all those who tried so valiantly to reduce the loss of life and contain the bushfires when they began,” he said.
“Fifty fire fighters from the Ballina Electorate travelled to Victoria to help fight the fires. They included 9 from Alstonville, 2 from Billinudgel, 2 from Byron Bay-Suffolk Park, 8 from Lennox Head, 9 from Main Arm, 7 from Mullumbimby, 3 from Newrybar, 8 from Wardell and 2 from Wilsons Creek,” Mr Page said.
“The generosity shown by the Brunswick Valley residents was mirrored throughout the Ballina electorate and indeed throughout Australia.
“We are indeed a generous people. The Red Cross Bushfire Appeal has raised a massive $250 million so far. The appeal closes on Friday, April 17,” Mr Page said.
“I applaud the Red Cross for its work in support of all those affected by the Victorian bushfires. The people, families and communities, who now have the enormous task of rebuilding, will have much needed support from the Red Cross to get them through what will undoubtedly be a long and difficult process,” Mr Page said.
