Issue 437 – Gratitude for bush fire funds

A LETTER of gratitude has been received from an Australian MP, following a donation to the Australian Bush FIre appeal made by the people of Westbury.

Back in March, town councillor Mike Cuthbert-Murray took a cheque for almost $350 Australian dollars to Mick Kruger, the Mayor of Fraser Coast City, Queensland.
With the donation was included a letter of support from the then mayor of Westbury, cllr Mike Hawkins. Mayor Kruger has since passed this on, and cllr Hawkins said he was delighted to receive recently a letter from Hon. John Brumby MP, the Premier of Victoria State.
The letter read, “On behalf of the Government and people of Victoria I would like to convey my sincere thanks for your letter…
“The donation by the residents of Westbury to the recovery effort is greatly appreciated. We are profoundly thankful for the support offered by other Australians and people across the world.
“The loss of so many lives is devastating to all Victorians. The Government is doing its utmost to meet the needs of those affected. A wide range of financial, accommodation, personal, medical, psychological and other support has been made available, and every effort will be made to assist communities to recover.
“In this difficult time I am comforted by the outpouring of generosity and support that has accompanied such a terrible disaster, and as we begin the huge task of rebuilding I continue to stand in awe of the strength and resilience of the Australian spirit. Your letter has been retained as part of the Official Condolence Books to remember the victims of this devastating tragedy.”
Cllr Hawkins said, “I think this letter says two things: Firstly, these fires have had an enormous human impact on the people of Victoria State, Australia,  that will take some time to put right, and secondly, the people of Westbury should be proud that they have done their bit to help. Hopefully, there may be more that we can do.”