Friday, December 13th

I notice that authorities are predicting we still have months of the bushfire season to endure and that various brigades are having to crowd-fund to raise money for their basic equipment, because governments are too mean to provide appropriately.  What sort of society are we, that cuts funding to an essential service manned by volunteers, many of whom are losing pay when they take time off from their work to carry out this public service?

I heard the story this week of the tiny Kimberley Fire Brigade in Tasmania who decided they needed to do something to replenish their tool kit; they were down to just one screwdriver!   Someone donated a parcel of chocolate which they decided to raffle.  The Deloraine Rotary Club heard about this and offered to help out, sitting at Woolies to sell tickets.  They made about $1500 and, with a bit extra from the Rotary Club, it's a good result.

The result is that the whole gang of volunteer firies from Kimberley are planning to visit Bunnings this Saturday to spend their windfall.  They can probably afford a whole screwdriver set.