Sutherland Shire Branch
The Sutherland Shire Branch of the Australian Red Cross raises money for worthwhile initiatives, such as our recent drought relief "care packs" for farming families affected by the recent droughts. Each pack contained approx $80 of personal care items - deodorant, tissues, toilet paper, band aids, washing powder, shampoo, soap and aerogard etc. Sutherland Shire Branch raised over $15,000 over two years to help Aussie Farmers in western NSW.
Another related initiative was the "adopt a branch" where the Sutherland Shire branch (with forty members) "adopted" the smaller Kumara branch (with six local members). Kumara is in remote NSW past Deniliquin. Together these two branches worked to upgrade the lighting, electricals and kitchen of the Kumara community hall. Now the hall is safe, insurance is re-instated and is being used by community meetings, 21st birthday parties and other functions in this remote farming community. Thanks to Patron Peter Eyland, for completing this project by the donation of a useful Microwave oven.
Footnote: Kumara has recently received a few centimetres of rain, & have put in a wheat crop. This will be the first harvest for many years. Things look promising for the community of Kumara in western NSW.
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