Toodyay & Districts Community Bank Branch gives $20,000 to bushfire appeal as total hits $170,000
THE Toodyay & Districts Community Bank¨ Branch has thrown its
support behind those in its local community hardest hit by the recent bushfires, donating
$20,000 to the Toodyay Bushfire Appeal.
The contribution takes the total raised by the appeal to more than $170,000.
Toodyay Community Bank Company, Chair, Richard Dymond, said the response from people right across Australia has been heart warming and he said the Community Bank branch's gift has been made on behalf of the hundreds of local people who support the branch.
"We have fantastic community spirit in Toodyay and this spirit enabled us to establish and successfully run our Community Bank company.
"Thanks to this support we have been able to make significant returns, supporting local groups
and organisations.
"And now that our community is going through a tough time, we're happy to help out in any
way we can as a way of saying thanks and repaying that initial investment of faith in our
branch."
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank's philanthropic arm, Community Enterprise Foundation, has
launched the appeal in partnership with the Toodyay Community Bank Branch and the
Salvation Army to help assist people in the region affected by the bushfire.
Toodyay Community Bank Branch Manager, Grant McLeod, is now calling for more support
for the fire stricken community.
"We are only just coming to terms with the impact the fire has had on our town," he said. "Many have lost everything and the rebuilding and recovery process will be challenging.
"I'd like to encourage everyone to dig deep and give what you can."
People wanting to donate can log onto Bendigo Bank's website or
call into any Bendigo Bank branch. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.
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WAHC Toodyay Bushfire Rescue Appeal
ON the evening of Wednesday 30th December, the WA Horse Council contacted local Toodyay equestrian identity Christine Maroni, to establish how many horse owners had been affected by the Tuesday bushfires.
We were advised that a significant number of horse owners, if they had not been burnt out, had suffered considerable damage, and that basic equipment like halters, lead ropes, buckets, feed etc was desperately needed.
On the morning of Thursday 31st December, the Council rang a number of equestrian saddlery and feed businesses, asking for donations to support a Rescue Package for these people. The response was amazing and by 3pm a car and float had picked up sufficient goods to get horse owners over the long weekend, and was on its way to Christine MaroniÕs property in Toodyay.
Luckily the Toodyay road was reopened shortly before we arrived.
Christine did a super job of delivering the goods Thursday evening.
The Council would like to express their appreciation to the following businesses, who supported the Council's Rescue Package - Milne Feeds, Wesfeeds, Thompson & Redwood, Wellstation Chaff (all of whom are providing ongoing feed) Europa Saddlery, Horseland and Bio-John.
Generator safety and the Toodyay power restoration effort
WESTERN Power has now restored power to Toodyay.
All customers who are able to link into the network have had power restored,
those with fire damage or who still do not have power will need to work with an electrical contractor
to ensure their premises is safe to be reconnected.
At the town hall meeting in Toodyay on the 1st January, Western Power General Manager, Mr Mark de Laeter,
offered residents some advice on generator safety.
"For residents who have a generator, Western Power recommends that you do not connect your generator through the switchboard but instead directly to appliances.
"This is particularly the case if your home has any fire damage. There may be damage to the internal wiring of the property and connecting the generator to the switchboard could put you at risk. An electrician will be able to check your home to confirm if it is safe to connect to the switchboard, in the mean time connect the generator directly to appliances.
"If you are using an extension cord to connect the generator to an appliance, please make sure the cord is not rolled up but extended. A coiled extension cord can generate heat and cause a fire.
"Most importantly, make sure the generator is in a clear area away from any flammable material particularly exhaust outlets. Under no circumstances should you refuel a generator while it is running. Make sure it is turned off before refueling.
"If the generator keeps tripping off, it is an indication that too many appliances are connected to the generator and you will need to reduce the load on the generator by disconnecting some of the appliances so that it can operate within its design limits.
"Western Power recommends that all residents affected by the fire should employ an electrical contractor to check the electrical safety of their premises as soon as possible."
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