While the Healesville CFA has been out battling for the community, locals have been rallying at home to support their beloved brigade.
A weekend’s worth of charitable activities has landed approximately $5,292 in the CFA’s pockets.
The locally run initiative saw a series of lucky squares events take place at the Terminus and Healesville Hotels, wherein locals purchased squares for $10 each for a chance to win $300.
The remaining $700 from each of the 100 squares went towards the Healesville Fire Brigade.
Six sheets worth of squares were sold in total over the weekend.
Healesville local and CFA fundraiser organiser Kersten Gentle emphasised the lack of support for the town’s brigade.
“The CFA is woven into the fabric of our community,” Ms Gentle said.
“It is run entirely by volunteers who put their lives on the line to protect not just our town, but others in harm’s way,” she said.
“I felt like the community needed to rally behind them, just as they always rally behind us during emergencies.”
Ms Gentle initiated the event to shoulder some of the CFA’s fundraising burden.
“It doesn’t sit right with me that volunteers who already give so much of themselves also have to spend time fundraising,” Ms Gentle said.
“I have seen our local brigade directing traffic at Rochford concerts or running sausage sizzles just to raise basic funds.”
“If we could do our bit to ease that burden and allow them to focus on what they do best, serving the community, then we wanted to do it,” she said.
According to Ms Gentle, the Healesville CFA is due for a new station, with the current one in disrepair due to failing brickwork.
Ms Gentle said, “We also wanted to be proactive.”
“As a society, we tend to respond once disaster strikes, and Australians are incredible at stepping up in those moments.”
“We wanted to raise funds before the next emergency, knowing how much work our local CFA does year-round,” she said.
The weekend’s charitable event aimed to raise much-needed funds for the local brigade, while also raising awareness around bushfire safety, using literature provided by the CFA.
Despite the fundraiser being a ‘last-minute idea’ according to Ms Gentle, plenty of folks turned up on Australia Day to contribute.
Ms Gentle said, “What truly stood out was the generosity of the community.”
“The community spirit, particularly on Australia Day, was absolutely beautiful and made me incredibly proud to be part of such a special place,” she said.
“The beauty of this fundraiser is that it is built on small contributions from many people, locals and tourists alike, all coming together to support something that matters.”
As stated by Ms Gentle, local woman Isabell Pezzimenti won the second draw and donated her $300 prize straight back to the CFA.
Half of the winnings of three young children was also donated back to the CFA later on in the final draw.
With the fundraiser receiving waves of positive feedback, plans for next year’s event are already underway.
Ms Gentle said, “Next year we are planning to do more.”
“I am hoping to expand the fundraiser to all three local pubs and recruit volunteers to help run it at each venue over the long-weekend period.”
“I want to make this into an annual fundraiser and have the whole town get behind it,” Ms Gentle said.
Healesville CFA Captain Brian Earl was grateful for the support of the community and looks forward to putting the donated funds to use.
“It is always good to have someone from the community looking at how they can raise money for a community organisation,” Mr Earl said.
“This event was run independently of the CFA, and it is a really good thing to see,” he said.
While the CFA does not yet have a clear plan on how they are going to spend their donation, a focus on upgrading appliances over the next 12 to 18 months may hold some sway.
Brian acknowledged the hard work of his brigade over the past few weeks.
“Whilst Healesville hasn’t been directly affected by the current fires within the landscape, our crews have supported both the Longwood and Wallowa fires,” Mr Earl said.
“Our thoughts are out with the communities that have been affected, as well as with any other members of the Country Fire Authority that have been directly impacted by the recent fire events.”
