SOROPTIMISTS International of Ballarat Club members have contributed money to assist bushfire-affected farming regions across Victoria with their continuing recovery.<\/p>\n
The organisation recently donated $30,000 to BlazeAid.<\/p>\n
It followed one member of the women’s advocacy group speaking about her volunteering with BlazeAid and the ongoing need for support in fire-affected areas such as Skipton, Carngham and Streatham.<\/p>\n
During her address at the Ballarat branch’s annual meeting earlier this year, Soroptimist member Christine Rippon spoke about how fires can set farmers back, particularly when boundary fencing is destroyed.<\/p>\n
“When fences are lost, it’s not just timber and wire that’s gone, it’s security, livelihoods and years of hard work,” she said.<\/p>\n
“BlazeAid gives farmers practical help when they need it most, and this support from the Soroptimist Foundation will make a real difference to families still recovering from fire.”<\/p>\n
The money will be used across Victorian farming regions, including in Skipton, and other communities Soroptimist clubs are involved in recovery and grant applications.<\/p>\n
“We are incredibly grateful to the Soroptimist Foundation for this generous donation,” BlazeAid chief executive officer Melissa Jones said.<\/p>\n
“These funds will go straight into the purchase of essential fencing materials and new and replacement tools used daily by volunteers on the fence lines, helping farmers rebuild faster and get back on their land with confidence.”<\/p>\n
On Sunday 17 May, the Pyreness and Corangamite shires hosted a barbecue for those who volunteered with recovery from the January bushfires.<\/p>\n
Soroptimist Ballarat secretary Fiona Tonkin, who initiated the funding application, was on hand to officially present the money to BlazeAid founder Kevin Butler.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SOROPTIMISTS International of Ballarat Club members have contributed money to assist bushfire-affected farming regions across Victoria with their continuing recovery. The organisation recently donated $30,000 to BlazeAid. It followed one member of the women’s advocacy group speaking about her volunteering with BlazeAid and the ongoing need for support in fire-affected areas such as Skipton, Carngham […]<\/p>\n