Many of our colleagues and school communities have been affected by the disastrous bushfires that have swept large areas of our state of Victoria in the last few days. It has been declared Australia’s worst natural disaster and at least three schools have been burnt down. Many people have lost their lives, some of them children. Our thoughts are with you all.
What can we do to help? Australian and international readers are able to assist by making donations to the Red Cross (secure site). Australian readers can also consider shopping at Coles supermarkets this Friday 13th February as all profits from its 750 stores will be donated to the Victorian Government’s Bushfire Appeal in partnership with the Red Cross. Victorians who are willing to help in other ways can read the ‘Offer help’ page from the ABC.
On behalf of the School Library Association of Victoria, a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers who have been so brave and worked so hard to fight the fires and to assist the people affected by them; among them are the CFA, SES, Red Cross,Salvation Army and the pilots of the planes and helicopters that have carried out vital water bombing and the people who are assisting those left homeless and bereaved.
The School Library Association of Victoria is a collegial and sharing network and we hope that this strength of community will enable us to provide support wherever we can.
If you and/or your school do manage to help in some way, please add a comment to let us know. Thank you.