February Fires
Condolences to families — and praise for help
With La Trobe campuses close to, or in the path of the February firestorms Vice-Chancellor Paul Johnson said the University’s thoughts and condolences went out to all families and friends of those who died, were injured or lost their homes.
He also praised members of the University who acted as volunteers and contributed to help colleagues, students and the wider community.
More than 600 people – family members, friends and colleagues from throughout Australia and overseas – attended a memorial service on the Bundoora campus late in February to commemorate the life of La Trobe zoologist Dr Richard Zann, his wife Eileen and daughter Eva, who died in the Kinglake fires, (see Vale: Dr Richard Zann). The couple leaves a son, Christopher.
‘It’s a tragic fact that many in our University community have had their lives changed forever,’ Professor Johnson said.
During the crisis, the University responded to request from emergency coordination services for accommodation on the Bundoora, Bendigo and Beechworth campuses.
The Beechworth campus served as the main regional staging area for fire-fighters from NSW Rural Fire Service and ACT Emergency Service teams, housing more than 500 fire-fighters.
‘People also responded magnificently to our Staff Bushfire Appeal, raising funds to help colleagues and students affected by the fires,’ Professor Johnson said.
‘These funds will help ease the stress, and we will continue to support students and staff to the best of our ability. For example, each student affected was assigned a contact person who helped them with such things as replacing lost lecture notes, uniforms or equipment.’
International Muslim students raise funds for fire appeal
A group of Muslim students at the University’s International College raised more than $3,000 during Friday prayers in support of Victoria’s bush fire appeal. All up, the College collected $5,000 in two weeks, through daily morning teas, collection tins and other activities.
International College Director, Martin Van Run, said the students - many of whom had not been in the country for long - were inspired to contribute to the appeal after witnessing on news reports the devastation caused by the fires. The funds were sent to the Red Cross.