About Adopt a Town
A committee was formed from the Wakefield Regional Council area in South Australia, (WRC area is 100kms north of Adelaide) to adopt the towns of Callignee, Traralgon South, Koornalla and Le Roy after the devastating bushfires which ravaged the area in February 2009.
The WRC area is primarily a farming area with 8 small towns making up the region. Balaklava is the largest town of 1300 population with the other towns around 300 population in each.
By adopting the Callignee area in Victoria, there are a lot of things we have in common ie. small communities, farming, stock, community groups etc., and we want to do what we can to help support you as you rebuild your lives.
We realise distance between us is a problem, but we will focus on things we can do. The Adopt a Town committee are focussing on ways to help by taking on board some practical things to do from the Community Recovery Committee's Needs List.
So far quilting workshops have been organised and around 60 quilts were sent off. Also a Beanie Day was held where we encouraged people to get knitting and a whole pallett load of beanies, scarves, gloves etc was transported to Melbourne.
The local hay producers are also organising for a truck load of hay to be sent over so farmers can feed their stock. Our three recycling centres are collecting money from people cashing in their cans and bottles, and the money raised will go toward buying rain water tanks. Our aim over the next few months is to link community groups from the WRC area with community groups within the Callignee area.
By doing this the communities are linked with common interests and relationships can be formed. For example: Golf clubs link with golf clubs, garden clubs link with garden clubs, Lions Club link with Lions clubs, schools, churches etc., etc.
If you are a leader of a community group, David and Joy Woodroofe would love to hear from you so we can link your group with ours. Our phone no. is (08) 8528 6365 or email jd.woodies@bigpond.com As the Adopt a Town committee, we cannot imagine the horror you have been through of losing so much, but we want to stand by you and let you know you haven't been forgotten and will support you where and how we can.