By Mitchell Clarke
Almost $11,000 worth of Bunnings vouchers will be distributed to those in need following the Bunyip State Park bushfires earlier this year.
The team at Garfield community shop held a fashion parade and a silent auction in May where they raised the much needed funds.
They then used those funds to purchase Bunnings vouchers.
Manager Helen Davey was at Tonimbuk Hall on Friday 26 July with Jan Moxey, Gwen Newman and Ean Newman to hand over the vouchers to Vinnies President for Berwick Region Carol Arnett, who will disperse the vouchers on a needs basis.
“Some of the people came into the shop and you could see the devastation, they lost absolutely everything, they were just broken,” Ms Davey said.
“This is where we live, this is our community and if we can help in a tiny, tiny way, that’s great.”
It’s hoped the vouchers will allow people to rebuild houses and sheds and replace valued possessions lost as the fire ravaged properties.
“We’ll target these vouchers to those who need to replace hand tools,” she said.
“You can’t rebuild without power tools.”
And that rebuilding process is only just beginning, months after the disaster.
“The whole community has pulled together amazingly, it really shows you why people like living in these areas,” she said.
“To be in Garfield knowing we were ok, but being able to watch what was going on north of the highway was just so scary.
“Hopefully the vouchers will provide a smile to those who need them.”
