Message From The CEO
9 February 2009

Following the devastating bush fires that have caused massive destruction and community dislodgement in many Victorian communities over the weekend of the 7th & 8th February 2009 we have today offered our branch network as a collection point for donations.

As this news continues to highlight one of the greatest peace time tragedies that we in Australia have ever experienced I invite you to call at one of our branches or contact our Member Contact Centre on 1300 365 7 24 and request that your donation be transferred from your account to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Alternatively if you are an Internet Banking user, you may wish to transfer the funds yourself:

BSB: 802214
Account Number: 100068695
Account Name: Victorian Bushfire Appeal

I decided rapidly after communicating with my 2009-2010 Rotary District Governor colleagues from each of the 5 Victorian Rotary Districts that the best way to respond was in fact to encourage cash donations and then to channel the donations rapidly to the Bushfire Relief Account that will be administered by the combined Rotary District leadership teams in the disaster area.

All donations made will be cleared regularly to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Account as established by the Rotary District Governors in these 5 Rotary Districts in Victoria that serve the communities that have experienced this devastation.

The funds will be distributed through the Rotary Districts in the impacted regions of Victoria through those Districts' Rotary District Relief Funds and in that way your donation will provide for the most urgent needs of the people and the communities that have suffered most.

In this way we can be assured of donations rapidly getting to the people in need and also that the application and use of the funds will be coordinated to ensure that the provision of items essential to re-establish basic human needs and wherever possible normality in daily life for those greatly impacted.

I also attach an extract from an email I have received from my fellow District Governor Elect from Albury who has a slice of Northern Victoria in his District (including the currently at risk area of the beautiful town of Beechworth) and that will highlight to you the effort underway.

Good morning all,
I would like to thank you all for your offers of assistance to our District in the wake of the bushfires. Our Disaster relief chairman District Governor Nominee Alan Anderson has been in contact with our clubs requesting their assistance and or needs. It seems strange having a Disaster relief chair, however the northeast corner of our District has suffered eight years of drought. Farmers are committing suicide as they could see no relief in sight and could take no more. Difficult to understand unless you are in their shoes. The District clubs send money to the clubs in the effected areas and they assist with accounts, school fees, pamper packs for the ladies, groceries etc. Thank you all again for your support.
Regards
David Cooke
District Governor Elect
Rotary International District 9790

From a personal perspective I am proud to report that a lot of our staff have agreed to "cash-in" a days leave and indeed some have agreed to cash-in more than one days annual leave and donate the amount to the Bush Fire Appeal.

I challenge every other employer group in our area and even Australia to consider donating in this way, as a means of giving in a purposeful way to this cause.

So in summary we have an account to coordinate all donations for the cause and I will ask that you encourage and promote the availability of this account to receive donations as we experience first hand the mateship and caring values that define the true Aussie spirit at this time of need.

Thank you for your help.

Neville Parsons
Chief Executive Officer
(& District Governor Elect for Rotary International District 9650)