February 17, 2009 RESIDENTS of a Sydney suburb threatened with destruction by a bushfire in 2001 will host a fundraising event for the victims
of Victoria’s bushfires. Blazes in December 2001 saw mass overnight evacuations at Heathcote and other nearby suburbs, south of Sydney. “Heathcote in the Sutherland Shire has been threatened by ferocious fires many, many times over the years with the last one … requiring evacuations of massive sections of our suburb in the middle of the night with flames clearly visible in the distance,” Heathcote Anglican Church Assistant Minister Tom Hargreaves said. The church has organised a charity concert on Saturday, in particular to support its northern Victorian namesake, Heathcote Junction. On Thursday, Sydney’s harbourside Luna Park will also host a bushfire fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the Victorian victims. Unlimited ride passes will be available at half price between 5pm and 10pm on Thursday, a spokesman said.
Already the Australian community has raised more than $100 million through a fund organised by the Red Cross.