A ploughed paddock creating a firebreak was the only reason one Kinross Wolaroi School student’s home was not destroyed in the recent Sir Ivan Fire and now she and a close friend are trying to help those who were not so lucky.
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Year 11 boarding student Jen Quera and her friend Addie Eastwood have raised more than $1200 through a school fundraiser for people affected by the fire and hope to raise more on Saturday.
The school has 350 boarding students with 98 per cent coming from small communities across rural NSW and some of those students such as Jen have family, friends and neighbours affected by the fire which destroyed 34 homes, killed stock and burnt more than 55,000 acres of farming land in mid February.
To help those affected, Jen and Addie along with Addie’s father Graeme Eastwood and Jen’s mother Matilda Quera, ran a fundraising barbecue at the school’s swimming carnival on February 17.
Jen comes from Coolah and it was only luck that she did not lose her home or livestock and although no people were killed there were significant stock losses in the area.
“All my neighbours lost homes, stock, machinery sheds and property,” Jen said.
“My neighbour just recently ploughed his paddock and that made a fire break, that was the only reason that protected our home.
“I’ve been home since the fires, it’s pretty depressing seeing all the damage and the effects, it’s hard on everybody especially my close neighbours.”
Addie does not live in one of the fire affected areas but said she also wanted to help and do her bit.
“There is a few people from school who had their family farms affected, it was the least I could do,” she said.
“If people are willing to donate to Caring for Coolah it’s much appreciated.”
The students borrowed a Lions Club barbecue trailer and used sausages donated by Woolworths and soft drinks donated by Ashcroft’s Supa IGA to raise $1215.65 for the cause.
The money has been donated to a community centre called Caring for Coolah, which will distribute it to where it’s needed most.
They hope to raise more money at the Kinross Wolaroi School fair on Saturday by selling the remaining soft drinks.
The girls are also urging people to get behind fundraisers such as hay runs or the Warrumbungle Shire Mayor’s Bushfire Appeal.
