Eastern Australia is burning.
Thousands of families have been affected by ravaging bushfires across our cities and regions. Some have been prevented from returning to their home – forcing families to take shelter in community shelters or hotels. Some are unaware if their homes are still standing at all.
Tragically, overnight we have learned that two volunteer firefighters have lost their lives whilst fighting to protect others.
As our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by these extraordinary events, your Branch Committee of Management have just held a special urgent meeting to enable assistance to be made available to members and their families who have fallen victim to these bushfires, or are volunteer members of the Rural Fire Service and have had to go without pay, or avail of their personal leave balances, to allow them to be absent from work to protect their communities.
The motion below was passed at the special meeting, today:
ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS AFFECTED BY 2019 BUSHFIRES
Moved by: Shane Murphy, Branch Secretary
Seconded by: Rod Baxter, Branch President
Noting the unprecedented bushfire events tragically affecting so many CEPU families over recent weeks, the Branch Committee of Management authorises the Branch Secretary to establish a special benevolent fund of $10,000 and directs the Branch Secretary to provide emergency assistance to affected members, from that fund .
Such funded assistance shall be made at the discretion of the Branch Secretary, in consultation with Branch Organisers and Officials, and shall include, but not be limited to:
1. The provision of emergency accommodation;
2. Clothing;
3. Food and other essential incidental items.; and
4. Assistance payments to volunteer members of the Rural Fire Service, who are also CEPU members, who have been required to avail of Annual Recreation Leave, Long Service Leave or leave without pay, in order to attend to their firefighting duties in defending their communities. Such payment shall be made to assist with their family Christmas celebrations.
The Branch Committee of Management authorises the release of a further $10,000 in to the fund for disbursement, if required, over the Christmas shut-down period.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
A special online form has been developed to make it as quick and simple as possible for affected members to apply to benefit from this fund.
Please click here to access the form, now.
Should require any further information in relation to this, or any other matter, please contact Branch Assistant Secretary Peter Chaloner or Branch Officials Cade Anderson, Gil Enzon, Elly Huttly, Phil Kessey, TK Ly, Peter O’Connell, Dharmpal Singh or Dennis Williams on (02) 9893 7822.
Yours faithfully,
SHANE MURPHY
BRANCH SECRETARY
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