Rotary clubs call on south-west support for rebuilding PNG village

Since 2011, Warrnambool’s clubs have joined a Geelong Rotary Club effort to support the Sariri village’s relocation, after the community was forced to rebuild due to several natural disasters.

A recent visit has prompted several Warrnambool members to put together a campaign aimed at helping the disadvantaged villagers become self-sustaining in forestry harvesting and agriculture.

Allansford resident Graeme Ross, a Rotary Club of Warrnambool past president, has donated a working Massey Ferguson tractor to the cause. 

“After 55 years it’s never given me an ounce of trouble,” Mr Ross said.

But Rotary Club of Warrnambool member Tony Austin believes more help is needed to truly change living conditions at the battling village.

He said working tools, farming equipment and financial contributions would aid their effort to make a difference in Sariri.

It will cost about $10,000 just to transport the tractor after any required restoration work.

“We need to send the tractor in as reliable condition as we can,” Mr Austin said.

“The last thing we need is for it to break down under a tree somewhere.

“They have no tools or equipment.

“The Rotary clubs can’t resource this work on our own.”

He said the impact of sending a working tractor and tools to the village would be immeasurable.

“This will be life-changing but it’s part of a bigger picture,” Mr Austin said.

“At the moment they live on a day-to-day basis of what they can grow and eat, but they want to go beyond that.

“They’re a bunch of people who have nothing and if no one helps them, that’s all they’re going to have.

“This has come from what we’ve seen on the last trip to the village.”

Sariri is a coastal area village on the north side of Papua New Guinea, comprised of about seven tribes and 2000 inhabitants. 

Anyone who wants to donate money or equipment can contact the Rotary Club of Warrnambool or Warrnambool Daybreak.