The township of Tara in the Western Downs area of Queensland was devastated recently when a huge bushfire ripped through 26,000 acres of thick scrub and causing widespread destruction of property and infrastructure.
More than 50 homes were lost in the inferno, leaving more than 300 people in desperate need of accommodation and everyday essential items like toiletries, clothing, school supplies and nappies.
Local residents Leigh McCready, Carl Beck and Bob Birkhead have launched a Disaster Drive to support the residents of Tara seriously impacted by these devasting bushfires.
A bushfire survivor himself, Bob knows well the challenges facing the township of Tara.
“My family and I lost everything in a bushfire in southern Sydney in 1994, when a neighbour tragically lost her life and 86 homes were destroyed, so we know firsthand the importance of community support in recovery process. In our case community support, both locally, Australia-wide and internationally, played a huge role in rebuilding our lives,” Bob said.
The trio has been in touch with locals on the ground in Tara to find out what is most needed in these first weeks after the fire and told their southwestern friends that the Noosa community is behind them.
“Our friends in Tara have told us that their most urgent needs include school supplies, clothing, backpacks and toiletries. At the moment they are looking for essentials to get through every day,” Leigh said.
“The needs of young schoolchildren who have lost everything is vital and feedback from those on the ground in Tara to me has been that the needs of those children are significant.”
“We do also realise that the needs of adults and parents who have been impacted is significant, and our list of requested items will be updated according to the needs on the ground as the Disaster Drive continues.”
The Disaster Drive is calling on Noosa residents donate any of these goods, new or used at Barely Worn Used Clothing Store at 4 Action St, Noosaville from Wednesday to Sunday each week until 8 December. It will be collected by the Disaster Drive organisers and taken directly to the people of Tara.
Local Tara business, Modern Trend is also accepting phone orders for anyone wanting to purchase new clothing or school uniforms for residents impacted by the fire. Contact Kerry at modentrend.com.au or 4665 3495.
