On Thursday, your Guild Council passed an emergency motion in relation to the bushfires currently burning across Australia. These fires are unprecedented in their scale of destruction and are a result of climate change. We condemn the Morrison Liberal Government’s inaction on the crisis, and we call on them to increase funding for firefighting services, and to provide firefighters with a union wage.
We’re calling on students to get involved. Here’s how you can contribute:
·
Support First Nations people: This crisis is taking place on Indigenous
lands, where sovereignty was never ceded. We acknowledge the ongoing connection
of First Nations people to the land. With that in mind, take the time to listen
to Indigenous people here, and you can donate to First Nations communities here.
· Join the protest: We’re joining the protest for Climate Action this Friday January 10, 5.30pm at Forrest Place. Find out more here.
Make a Donation
Donate $$:
If you want to help
firefighters directly, you can donate to a local Rural Fire Service here: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade
You can also donate directly to the families of the two volunteer firefighters
killed during the Green Wattle Creek fire in NSW, Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew
O’Dwyer. You can find out more information here: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/general-news/featured/support-for-firefighter-families
There are currently 50 active fires in Victoria too, so you can donate to the
Country Fire Authority or support the Gippsland community here: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa
In South Australia, the Country Fire Service accepts donations through the CFS
Foundation here: https://cfsfoundation.org.au/donate
Donate goods:
Please
only donate goods if charities have specifically requested the items. Givit
is looking for things like fuel and grocery
vouchers. Foodbank Victoria is also taking cash donations – you can find them
here: https://www.foodbank.org.au/support-us/make-a-donation/donate-funds/?state=vic
Donate blood:
Lifeblood
needs more donations, especially as the crisis worsens. You can find out where
to give blood and if you’re eligible to donate here: https://www.donateblood.com.au/
Donate to animal welfare:
The RSPCA has an appeal going, and so does WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service).
Animals Australia and the WWF are also collecting funding to help wildlife affected by the fires.
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is asking for help in providing watering stations for thirsty koalas on their GoFundMe page, and Koalas in Care in NSW need a helping hand, too.
If you have been affected by the fires, support is available. Our amazing Student Assist team can provide welfare, academic and financial support. Contact them on 08 6488 2292, or email [email protected].
We’re currently working on how we as the Guild can join the effort – watch this space for updates!
