WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Just days after fire swept through Garvoc, destroying homes, properties and forcing residents to flee, community members were meeting to finalise details of their annual Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday auction.
Garvoc District Residents Incorporated secretary Adam Bellman said a unanimous decision was made to push ahead with plans for the night, despite the fires.
“We had a meeting to try and determine whether or not – given the fires – we would keep it running,” Mr Bellman said. “We have decided we will – in light of everything that has happened.”
Mr Bellman said he was proud of the community members, who had banded together in their time of need. “We want to be able to support the Royal Children’s Hospital like we have before.”
He encouraged south-west residents to support the barbecue and goods auction.
“We need people to get behind us and help us,” he said.
Mr Bellman said the community-run auction raised about $16,500 for the Royal Children’s Hospital last year.
“We just really want the wider community to come and support it,” he said.
Mr Bellman said he was not surprised by the steely resolve of Garvoc and district residents.
“It didn’t surprise me,” he said.
“They’re a great bunch of people.”
Mr Bellman said businesses and residents had been extremely generous and donated vouchers, goods and services.
He said if anyone wanted to help the community in their time of need, they could also donate to the auction.
Mr Bellman said community members had been extremely busy in the aftermath of the fires, running a relief centre for volunteers in the town and delivering food to people in need.
He urged residents to attend Wednesday night’s event, which will kick off with a free barbecue at the Garvoc Hall from 6pm Wednesday, followed by the auction at 7.30pm.
To help, contact Mr Bellman on 0439 464 518.