State of Emergency

Let’s face it Australia, it’s been a tough start to the fire season with fires burning since September 2019 and as we welcomed in a new year/decade there are no signs of the fires easing or the temperatures falling; we are in a declared state of emergency.

Australian’s are resilient, determined, robust, courageous and most of all generous of both their time and ability to raise funds for those who need it the most. There are a group of individuals who are out there in the line of fire (literally) battling the fires that rage around us so what can we do to help?

We are not lost

Living in a city environment we are protected somewhat from the reality of this devastation, sure our city skyline is hazy from the smoke but the actuality of the catastrophic conditions in some of the most pristine coastal and Alpine regions of Australia is somewhat lost on us.

We have not lost our homes, our businesses, our livestock and even worse family members or friends. We are not weighing up the decision to leave our property with the only items that are most precious to us in a moment’s notice.

We are not having to delay leaving our holiday destination ravaged by fire because we don’t have access to fuel. We are not sleeping in a shelter, emptying the supermarket shelves of food and water nor are we so exhausted that the thought of a bed is beyond us because we simply must keep saving the properties and land around us.

To date

• At least 17 people including 3 fire fighters have died due to the out of control fires
• More than a quarter of the country is on fire with fires occurring in every state and territory
• About 12.35 million acres (five million hectares) of land have burned
• More than 1,400 homes have been destroyed
• 500 million creatures have been killed including 8,000 koalas

Beyond Comprehension

For me and those around me, we have not experienced devastation like this in our lifetime; this is beyond comprehension – how can the lucky country be so unlucky currently experiencing such dangerous and catastrophic conditions?

We have been drought since 2017 with rainfall records showing a marked decrease in precipitation level since 1994. Australia is a continent that has been defined by extremes; floods, heatwaves, drought and fires. We are not averse to the harsh conditions of the environment but are they worse now than those in the past?

Yes, no, maybe? That discussion is beyond the content of this blog post for now but definitely not irrelevant or insignificant; its an important discussion to have but the purpose of this post is to raise awareness for how you can do you bit to help those affected by this catastrophic disaster.

Raising Funds for the CFA Public Fund

In partnership with race directors across Victoria; born leaders in our running community have to put together a prize pool of over 30 races for people to win FREE entry when they purchase tickets in the raffle. Tickets are $50 each or three for $100.

With events ranging from 5km to 217km there is a race for everyone with the funds going to help support our volunteer firefighters. Time to dig deep my friends, these funds will make a difference.

PRIZE POOL
1st Place = 5 race entries of their choice
2nd Place = 4 race entries of their choice from the remaining races after previous winner has chosen
3rd Place = 3 race entries of their choice from the remaining races after previous winners has chosen
4th Place = 2 race entries of their choice from the remaining races after previous winners has chosen
5th-20th Place = 1 race entries of their choice from the remaining races after previous winners has chosen

PRIZES
Afterglow Trail Run
Bellarine Sunset Run
Berry Long Run
Blue Light Run 18km Maldon
Bogong2Hotham
Brimbank Park Urban Trail Run
Buffalo Stampede
DownUnder135
Duncan’s Run 
Goldrush Trail Run
GOW100
Halloween Howler Trail Run
Macedon Trail Run
Maribyrnong Valley Park- Backyard Ultra
Maroondah Dam
Marysville Marathon Festival
Mirrim Wurnit
Oscar’s/Archie’s Hut2Hut
Peaks & Trails
Phillip Island Running Festival 
Princess Park Running Festival
Razorback Run
Riverina Trail Run Series Entry
Rock Around The Clock Trail Run
Rokeby Run
Rollercoaster Run
Sharpy’s Beer Run
Surf Coast Century
Surf Coast Trail Marathon
The Tan Urban Trail Run
Three Bays Running Festival Portland 60km
Trail Running Series Gold Runner Entry
Unbreakable Mountain Trail Run
Warburton Trail Festival
Wonderfalls Trail Run
You Yangs Trail Running Festival

The raffle will be drawn on Monday 20th January via a live telecast. Winners will be notified in the days following so they may select their prizes promptly.

Worth noting: As a raffle winner you should consider when picking your prize that some races may have qualifying standards you need to meet.

How to Enter/Donate

Please click here: Fundraising Raffle for CFA Public Volunteer Fund 

This is a highly effective way to raise funds within a community of people who spend time out in the vast outdoors training and appreciating the land in which we are lucky enough to walk/run/hike on.

In training and races the elements certainly challenge us both mentally and physically however we can always call upon the energy of the ground we walk on to give us strength and power to push on through. Now it’s our turn to hear the calls of nature; to help her ease the rathe she is bestowing on us at this time – she does not mean to fight us but she is out of control and we need to support those who are working with her to find peace.

How you can help further 

Red Cross Fire Appeal – https://www.redcross.org.au

NSW Rural Fire Service – https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/fundraising

CFA Victoria – https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa#donate-cfa

Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund – https://www.gerf.org.au

Food Bank – https://www.foodbank.org.au/support-us/make-a-donation/?state=vic

WIRES – https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund

WWF – https://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/bushfire-emergency#gs.q1jwyy

Animals Australia – https://www.animalsaustralia.org

Wildlife Warriors – https://wildlifewarriors.org.au

Time to go without

Still celebrating the festive season? Instead of purchasing that bottle of champagne, case of beer or going out to dinner with friends, transfer the money directly to one of the services above or enter the raffle draw. We may not think our small contribution will make an impact but combined, it can change and save a community.

The Lucky Country

We are the lucky country, we are lucky because we show both sympathy and empathy; we are always there for our mate so time to step up Australia, our country needs you.