Funds raised by the Blue Mountains Bushfire Appeal have now been distributed to communities affected by the 2013 fires.
The $88,5555 in grants was made possible thanks to the joint backing of the North Richmond Community Bank branch, Katoomba and Upper Blue Mountains Community Bank branch, other branches across the region and generous donations from the public.
Katoomba and Upper Blue Mountains Community Bank Chairman, Robert Stock, said the appeal committee worked hard to provide financial assistance to those who needed it most, particularly in the days, weeks and months immediately following the bushfires.
“This money has been distributed to communities’ right across the Blue Mountains, including Springwood, Winmalee and Yellow Rock,” Mr Stock said.
North Richmond Community Bank Chairman, Donald Shaddick, said the grants have been used for health and wellbeing, bushfire preparedness, community capacity building and education programs for individuals and families.
The grants supported the following community programs and infrastructure projects:
Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre – Mt Victoria anniversary of the fires event;
Blackheath/Mt Victoria Rural Fire Service – emergency public warning mobile signage;
RSPCA Blue Mountains Volunteer Branch – Blue Mountains facility bushfire controls;
Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre – My Story - Stories of Hope;
Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre – Bringing Back The Birds, a project with Nepean Mens Shed;
NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service Public Gift Fund – Homes for Habitat;
Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre – Enhancing Health;
Mountain Lagoon Rural Fire Brigade – Backpack blower;
Upper Colo Rural Fire Brigade – Upper Colo Station draughting point;
Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre – Mt Victoria Garden re-development project;
Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Cooperative - Community Connections – Building Neighbourhoods by Strengthening Relationships;
Catholic Care Social Services – Cool Kids and Cool Little Kids Anxiety Support Program;
Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre – Twitter for Disasters: an introduction to Twitter 'Alerts' service.
“The benefit of having branches that work for the community is that the community benefits financially in times of hardship, when and where it is needed most.
“Our close connections with community leaders ensures the Bank plays a significant role in recovery long after events like these have passed,” Mr Shaddick said.
