http://samaritanspurse.dms-au.com/2009/04/02/bushfire-update-%e2%80%93-marysville-re-opened/ Samaritans Purse Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:46:38 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 http://samaritanspurse.dms-au.com/2009/04/02/bushfire-update-%e2%80%93-marysville-re-opened/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Rod Boreham Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:20:44 +0000 http://samaritanspurse.dms-au.com/?p=193#comment-28 It's good to see your work happening close to home with the bushfire relief work. It has concerned me that much of the focus has been on the Marysville area, deservedly so, but unfortunately to the detriment of other areas. Media focus (or lack thereof) has caused some devastated areas to be overlooked, particularly the Labertouche area affected by the Bunyip Ridge fire. This is a farming community & has virtually been wiped out by the Feb. 7th fires. Through careful per-planning, no lives were lost & many buildings were saved, but much devastation has occurred, with little assistance coming from government & other agencies. There, folk have lost their ability to generate income, as well as suffering great material loss. Politicians have focused on other regions where the media are focusing their attention. One lady I know, who lost her whole property, has said that the only help she has received has been a small grant from the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, and some assistance from the Seventh Day Adventist church. Many were slow to apply for help due to the time of trauma that followed the fires, only to now be refused. I believe it would be a wonderful witness of Christ's love for a group such as yours to come in to an area like Labertouche & offer some practical & material assistance. It’s good to see your work happening close to home with the bushfire relief work. It has concerned me that much of the focus has been on the Marysville area, deservedly so, but unfortunately to the detriment of other areas. Media focus (or lack thereof) has caused some devastated areas to be overlooked, particularly the Labertouche area affected by the Bunyip Ridge fire. This is a farming community & has virtually been wiped out by the Feb. 7th fires. Through careful per-planning, no lives were lost & many buildings were saved, but much devastation has occurred, with little assistance coming from government & other agencies. There, folk have lost their ability to generate income, as well as suffering great material loss. Politicians have focused on other regions where the media are focusing their attention. One lady I know, who lost her whole property, has said that the only help she has received has been a small grant from the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, and some assistance from the Seventh Day Adventist church. Many were slow to apply for help due to the time of trauma that followed the fires, only to now be refused.
I believe it would be a wonderful witness of Christ’s love for a group such as yours to come in to an area like Labertouche & offer some practical & material assistance.

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