Grants from the National Australia Bank and Gannawarra Shire Council have turned what was the passionate idea of the manager of Kerang Neighbourhood House, Claire Fry, into a reality that will benefit many smaller communities surrounding Kerang.
Ms Fry initially applied for a grant of $25,000 to help prepare the outlying communities around Kerang to better deal with disasters after her own experience during the 2022 floods.
The NAB Foundation awarded her project not only the $25,000 for supplies to help prepare communities for potential disasters but added a further $25,000 because of the merits of the program.
Seven communities will receive the Disaster Preparedness kits which include a generator, petrol powered pump, fire extinguisher and emergency boxes.
The emergency boxes contain basic essentials such as gloves, masks, lighters, candles, torches, battery operated radios, first aid kit and even colouring books and pencils based on the needs that a family of five are likely to require in the short term to get them through an emergency.
Myall Village received the first of the kits last Wednesday.
Graham Cockroft said the equipment exceeded their expectations.
“The possibility of using it is something we hope doesn’t happen but when it’s there it is needed badly,” he said.
“It is great that we will be able to supply members of the community with a resource they wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Vice president of Kerang Neighbourhood House, Oscar Aertssen, said it was exciting that they were able to finally start distributing the equipment.
“We have had a good chat with the community and the community are happy with what they are getting, hopefully they won’t have to use it, but it is there and it is ready for them to use,” he said.
Ms Fry added that the equipment is not just for floods or natural disasters. If a house loses power for some reason, the generator is there for the community.
The other locations to get kits are Kerang, Murrabit, Quambatook, Benjeroop, Koroop and Lake Charm.
Gannawarra Council has also provided funding to run seven disaster training sessions across all the locations receiving the kits.
The free two-day seminars will be a hands on, practical approach to some of the things that are needed in an emergency, including how to use the equipment.
Participants will hear from the Victoria Police, Emergency Recovery Victoria, Social Security Rights Victoria, Rural Finance, SES Victoria, CFA and others equipping the communities with crucial skills and knowledge.
By the end of the course each participant will have formulated and developed their own disaster emergency plan under the guidance of the Red Cross.
Ms Fry said lunch will be provided.
“We did a survey just after Christmas last year asking people what they wanted to know, what would be helpful, and this is where this all came from including the equipment we have provided,” she said.
“The training is information that I wish I had known.
“It will be an interesting and exciting two days. We are going to show people how to make sandbags because sandbags are not as easy as people think because if you put too much in, they don’t work, if you don’t put enough in, they don’t work either.
“Anyone can book, there is no requirement for them to live in the area.
“If you are from Cohuna or Swan Hill you are welcome, this is for everybody.”
The training
Murrabit, September 10 and 11, Murrabit Hall.
Benjeroop, September 17 and 18, Benjeroop Hall.
Koroop, September 24 and 25, Koroop Hall.
Lake Charm, October 1 and 2, Lake Charm Hall.
Myall, October 8 and 9, Myall Hall.
Quambatook, October 15 and 16, Quambatook Hall.
Kerang, October 21 and 22, Kerang Neighbourhood House.
