New Red Cross Emergency Vehicle Quickly in Action
A new emergency vehicle presented to the Geelong Red Cross First Aid Emergency Service by Corio Lions Club at the Australia Day 2009 Children's Free Fun Day was quickly brought into service during Victoria's disastrous bushfires.
The emergency van was deployed to the Whittlesea fire control centre on 9 February.
Twelve months ago the van was just a dream in the minds of the Lions of Corio Bay.
"At the Australia Day Children's Free Fun Day in 2008, the local Red Cross First Aid team set up their emergency service, in support of the Lions Club of Corio Bay and the Australia Day Committee," Club President Elaine Anderson said.
"Some Lions Club members were helping the volunteer Red Cross First Aid team and remarked on the poor state of their trailer and tent."
"Our Lions club then began a project to replace the old trailer and tent with a better vehicle to carry their equipment and give Geelong Red Cross First Aid a professional appearance."
Ms Anderson said the Corio Bay Club was able to fulfil its promise to the Red Cross within one year.
"We were helped by twelve other local Lions Clubs, the Australian Lions Foundation and the Barrabool Moto-X Club to raise the funds needed to buy a brand new Toyota HIACE LWB Vehicle," Ms Anderson said.
The Australian Red Cross fitted out the vehicle internally and supplied all of the first aid equipment needed for the First Aid Emergency Service.
According to Ms Anderson the new vehicle ensures that high standard first aid is supplied by the Red Cross Team at the many events held in Geelong and adjoining shires for years to come.
Little did the Corio Bay Lions know that their project which grew from a casual remark would be involved in such a vital role only 12 months later.
"Seeing the Red Cross First Aid HIACE vehicle in action during the bushfires was a proud moment for the Lions Club of Corio Bay, the Australian Lions Foundation and the other clubs who helped the dream come true," Ms Anderson said.
Help wears a Smile
Nowra Lions President Rae Doak and Lion Sally Wilton seek Bushfire Appeal donations with a friendly smile.
The fundraising project, underway for the NSW/ACT Sight and Health Foundations Car Raffle, was immediately extended, for the Bushfire Appeal, by placing donation buckets on the raffle ticket sales table.
The result was over $1600.00 in donations, from the generous Nowra NSW public in just two days. "Fundraising will continue" says President Rae
When tragedy brings people together.
A local Canberra radio station put out a call for goods for those affected by the Victorian Bush Fires and employees of the Department of Health and Ageing and the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health gave generously, however, so did the rest of Canberra and we needed to find alternative transport to send the articles.
Lion Darlene Lawler with assistance from her colleagues in the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health took over the arrangements. Lion Darlene contacted King and Wilson Worldwide Moving and was overwhelmed by the positive response by Jamie Savage, Operations Manager and the support from Mr Andrew Wilson & Mr Chris Dash, Managing Directors. Not only did King and Wilson provide transport but their employees also gave generously. The call went out to Clubs in the District as well and DG Phil and Darlene's house became the staging ground. Wonderful support was received from fellow Lions and friends to sort and pack the goods received. At 7:00 am, Saturday, 21 February, 2009, Chad a representative of King and Wilson, who worked like a trojan arrived at DG Phil and Lion Darlene's house to pick up our first shipment that was being sent to Victoria and Queensland.
Nothing can prepare us for a tragedy such as this but the spirit of friendship and caring is awe inspiring.
Lara Lions with PM Kevin Rudd
Prime Minnister Kevin Rudd expressed his appreciation to Lions from the Lara Club when he visited Kinglake following the recent disastrous bushfires. Lions from various Geelong clubs provided more than 600 meals a day for volunteers and survivors of the fires.
Lara Lions with Premier John Brumby
Victorian Premier John Brumby joins Lions from Lara, Bannockburn and Geelong where they had been providing more than 600 meals a day to volunteers and survivors of the recent disastrous bushfires.