Premier John Brumby at the “thank-you” evening with, from left, ambulance officer Andrew Watson, Coldstream CFA captain Phil Giddens, Seymour MP Ben Hardman and Heartland Church pastor Mike Baimbridge.By Kath Gannaway
PREMIER John Brumby last week delivered a personal “thank you” to more than 400 people involved in the Black Saturday bushfires around Kinglake, Toolangi and the Yarra Valley.
The community evening at the Yarra Valley Racing Centre brought to a close a hectic round of events held throughout the Yarra Valley on Tuesday 17 March as part of the State Government’s Community Cabinet visit.
Representatives of emergency services, volunteer organisations, the Shire of Yarra Ranges and business groups had the perfect opportunity to get the ear of government ministers relevant to their cause as they mingled with the crowd.
Local MPs Ben Hardman (Seymour) and Tammy Lobato (Gembrook) accompanied the ministers.
The cabinet started the day meeting the mayors and CEOs of the shires of Yarra Ranges and Murrindindi at the Yarra Valley Conference Centre in Dixons Creek.
Mr Brumby travelled over the recently re-opened Black Spur to Narbethong where he met residents including Jim Kennedy, the owner of the Black Spur Inn, which became a refuge and relief centre for the district.
His ministers fanned out across the valley meeting affected groups and making funding announcements.
At Balgownie Estate in Dixons Creek Tourism Minister Tim Holding announced a $70,000 campaign designed to drive conference business to bushfire-affected regions including the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
At De Bortoli Winery Mr Holding announced a $10 million Federal and State government package aimed at regenerating tourism industry in the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, the High Country and Gippsland.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings handed over $60,000 to the Australian Wildlife Centre at Healesville Sanctuary to help with animals injured in the bushfires.
He thanked wildlife carers and the sanctuary vets and staff for their work after the fires.
Sports Minister James Merlino announced $30,000 funding for lights at Steels Creek Tennis Club and later in the day visited Yarra Glen Pony Club where a $20,000 grant will be used to replace jumps and other equipment lost in the fires.
The opportunity to lobby continued with a series of smaller business and community dinners in Healesville, Warburton and Yarra Glen.
Mr Brumby praised the work of the many people involved in fighting the bushfires and with the recovery effort.
“I think it is so important tonight to come together to share experiences,” he said.
“I want to reinforce, on behalf of the cabinet and the government – we cannot say it enough – thank you to the firefighters and to all who did so much – ordinary people who did extraordinary things.”
He said the many communities affected by the Black Saturday fires would rebuild. It was uplifting to see in the burnt-out bushland around the Yarra Valley Conference Centre that the eucalypts had already started showing new growth.
“It’s a symbol of the important message we need to send back that the regeneration and rebuilding has begun,” he said.
