RESIDENTS in Medowie and the Tilligerry Peninsula are experienced with the fears and worry associated with the threat of fire, and the complete and utter devastation it can cause.

Despite the close calls of recent fire seasons, and the catastrophic heat conditions of this year’s fire season, our picturesque local landscape has remained untouched this year.

Local residents Melissa Van Wyk and Cameron Milner are well aware of how blessed we are to be unaffected, and were moved to try and help in some way when watching the news of another New South Wales region devastated by fire recently.

Last week, Melissa and Cameron were watching the morning news when a segment on the Dunedoo and Uarbry fire disaster came on.

It brought Melissa to tears as she watched the accounts of local residents, explaining what they had suffered and lost.

Melissa told News Of The Area, “It’s just so devastating.”

“All those people lost everything they own, and their animals were burned alive, unable to escape the flames.”

Without hesitation, she turned to her partner Cameron and told him she wanted to start up a call for donations, and go and hand deliver them to Dunedoo.

They began their quest by putting the word out of their impending trip on Facebook, and were shocked at the overwhelming response.
“The response we got was incredible, we were inundated with so many people wanting to help.”

Melissa lived through the Queensland 2011 floods, and although she wasn’t affected, she helped out during the recovery, and saw what helping hands could achieve.

Melissa and Cameron are from Booral, but have family from Medowie and friends from the Bay area, so word spread quickly and donations have come from far and wide across the Myall Coast, and Port Stephens area.

Their planned trip is for next saturday morning, and after a few more planned drop offs from the generous community, they will be packed to the brim for their trek to Dunedoo.

 

By Rachael VAUGHAN