26/07/07 – GENERATORS DONATE FUNDS TO FLOOD VICTIMS

Four major power generators in the Latrobe Valley have pledged a total of $20,000 to support the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) appeal to aid victims in the region affected by the recent floods, with the damage bill to property estimated to be at least $10 million.

Each of the generators – Loy Yang Power, International Power Hazelwood, TRUenergy Yallourn, International Power/Mitsui Loy Yang B – has donated $5,000 to the GERF appeal. The funds will provide support to those whose homes, farms and livestock have been damaged by the floods.

This pledge follows an earlier $20,000 donation to GERF by the generators when bushfires devastated parts of the Gippsland region. Through donations from local communities and businesses, the GERF raised over $345,000 for victims of the bushfires. Funds were allocated to 180 families and businesses.

GERF President, John Mitchell, warmly welcomed the generous contribution from the generators and called on all Gippslanders to help other locals in this time of need.

“The donation of $20,000 from the four generators will go towards providing much needed assistance to families whose homes and livelihood have been hit by the floods,” Mr Mitchell said.

Chief Executives of the generators agreed that contributing to the GERF appeal was an important way of demonstrating support of the communities in which they operate.

The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund arose from the 1977/78 bushfires in the Gippsland area to provide emergency assistance to victims. The Fund was subsequently formed on 6th December 1978.

The Fund provides relief and assistance to persons residing in the Gippsland Municipalities of Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Latrobe, Baw Baw, Wellington and East Gippsland who suffer injury, loss or damage from natural disasters.

The fund also provided more than $150,000 to victims of the East Gippsland bushfires in 2002-03.

One hundred per cent of the donations received by the fund are distributed to disaster victims, and the fund is a registered charitable organisation making all donations tax deductible.

Donations can be made via the post or at any National Australia Bank in Gippsland. Donations by cheque can be posted to PO Box 508, Traralgon, 3844.

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