Thanks to a donation of $30,000 from Esso Australia to the Mirboo North Community Recovery Fund, a grant of almost $20,000 has gone to the Storm Cell Volunteers (auspiced by the MN Community Shed) to assist in completing the work on the jobs they have logged post storm.
This grant is supplemented by donations from community organisations both inside and outside of the community, including the Friends of the MN Aged Care and Leongatha Secondary College, and will assist property owners who don’t have the physical or financial capacity to manage their clean up.
‘The donation of $30,000 by Esso Australia to the Mirboo North Community Recovery Fund is incredibly valuable to assist with our community led recovery, and we are very thankful,’ explains Ruth Rogan, Executive Officer of the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation, that holds this Fund. ‘The funds are already in action targeting local clean up works managed by our Storm Cell Volunteers.’
Since the storm event in February, the Storm Cell Volunteers have assisted more than 300 property owners to clean up their damaged properties, while also providing a listening ear and valuable well-being support. It has been a huge effort, with the team being accessible to the community 7 days a week since the event, initially at the RSL Hall and then at the Community Shed.
With Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) bringing volunteers to Mirboo North to carry out clean up work, the Storm Cell Volunteers have made the call to leave any new jobs to the DRA, while they focus on using this grant and other donations to finish off their final jobs.
‘It is great that Disaster Relief Australia are now on the ground to provide additional support to impacted properties in the community. With this support in place, we are no longer taking on new jobs – we are focusing on completing existing jobs. The grants and donations from the Community Recovery Fund, Esso Australia and our local Friends of the Aged Care will enable us to do that.”
Esso Australia recognised the challenges facing the community around Mirboo North after the severe storm hit in February. It was clear that with almost 30 houses uninhabitable and thousands of wind-blown trees, the recovery would not only take significant financial support but would require long term effort. Esso Australia reached out to the community and provided a significant donation to support these recovery efforts.
The Mirboo North Community Recovery Fund has received donations from a range of generous donors, from large corporates, community organisations and individuals, from inside and outside of our community. These donations have been (and continue to be) really valuable in supporting a range of recovery activities on-going across the community, including replanting projects, mental health first aid training and community events to bring people together. If you want to find out more, check our website or email us on info @mirboodistrictfoundation.org.au