"The February 2009 Victorian bushfires resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire.
So far 210 people have been confirmed to have died in the fires with around 500 injured.
Police estimate that the number of people still missing may number over 30.
The fires destroyed at least 2,029 homes, 3,500 structures in total and damaged thousands more.
Many towns north-east of Melbourne have been badly damaged or almost completely destroyed,
including Kinglake, Marysville, Narbethong, Strathewen and Flowerdale.
Many houses in the towns of Steels Creek, Humevale, Wandong, Callignee, and Koornalla
were also destroyed or damaged, with several fatalities recorded at each location.
The fires left an estimated 7,500 people homeless, many of whom sought temporary accommodation,
much of it donated in the form of spare rooms, caravans, tents and beds in community relief centres." (From Wikipedia)
"In a response to the greatest peace-time disaster in this country, ShelterBox Australia a Rotary Project
made an offer to government of ShelterBoxes held in Melbourne for future use in neighbouring countries.
Nobody ever imagined we would deploy our humanitarian aid in this country.
The scale and ferocity of Black Saturday led to the Victorian Government
gratefully accepting our offer ... and the ShelterBox response was immediate." from ShelterBox Australia
The Rotary Club of Mackay Sunrise will donate $1200 towards a new Shelterbox.
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Shelter Box
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A ShelterBox usually consists of:
- 10 thermal blankets
- A rugged 10 person dome tent
- Tools and other survival equipment
It provides:
- dry shelter
- a warm bed
- light and heat
- clean water
- cooking aids
- tools
- For up to 10 people
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