Digging deep in tough times: Scars of the past rise to surface

THERE seems to be no stopping the south-west's fund-raising effort. From small community barbecues to tenpin bowling nights, hotel drink proceeds to speedway gate takings, the region's cash is set to flood in for the state's bushfire victims. The bursting schedule of fund-raisers comes as the national total raised by the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal hit more than $31 million.Staff from The Standard had banked $2405 in donations as of yesterday.The Framlingham community know all too well the impact of fire, having been hit on Ash Wednesday in 1983 and again in the Framlingham Forest fires in January, 2007.The settlement's Red Cross secretary Marg Lynch said the community would hold a barbecue to raise money for more than 800 households shattered by the state's recent fires."It's a good idea to get the community together to talk about things," Mrs Lynch said.Her husband Colin, now the Framlingham Fire Brigade captain, fought to curb the Ash Wednesday blazes."It (the recent devastation) brings it all back to people," she said."A lot of people are still sort of struggling with the results of Ash Wednesday in our area."The Framlingham Forest fires of 2007 revived that nightmare, as has the rising death toll from the fires in the Kinglake area and in Gippsland.All proceeds from the barbecue and raffles, to be held on Sunday February 22, will go to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.Mrs Lynch appealed to any businesses which might like to donate food or prizes for the day to contact her. Meanwhile, thousands of dollars worth of donated goods and services will be auctioned during a special bushfire appeal concert at Flagstaff Hill next Wednesday night. Two local bands, The Commitments and The Smugglers (formerly The Monaros) will feature on stage during the three-hour concert, with gates opening at 5pm.Band members along with staff, security crews, service clubs and cleaners have donated their time and skills for the event. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village manager Peter Abbott said there had been widespread support from the Great Ocean Road tourism industry in providing prizes for the auction. "We all want to help bushfire victims and put some cash into the relief system," he said."Admittance will be via a $5 donation or more at the gate. Profits from bar sales at the Steam Packet Inn and catering outlets will go to the appeal. There will also be a number of children's activities."Ironically our region will probably benefit later from extra tourism because of destruction in the high country region."