City donates $125,000 to bushfire relief

Published on 26 February 2020

Fairfield City Council has presented more than $125,000 in bushfire relief at its Tuesday night meeting.

The families of Horsley Rural Fire Service volunteers Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O'Dwyer were presented with $91,171. The Salvation Army and RSPCA NSW each received $16,924 to assist with their respective bushfire relief fundraising efforts.

Council donated the ticket price of all tickets sold at the Illuminate New Year's Eve celebration, took up a collection at the event and worked closely with local clubs and community groups to raise the money. Local residents also dug deep throughout January and added further donations at our libraries and leisure centres.

Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said the amount raised highlighted the generosity of the Fairfield City community.

"I am proud of how this City dug deep to support the families of Mr Keaton and Mr O'Dwyer, and the great work of The Salvation Army and RSPCA NSW," Mayor Carbone said.

"It's great to see the whole community coming together to help the families of the RFS officers, and the people and animals affected by the bushfires."

"We hope that this money will go some way to alleviating the tragedy of the recent bushfire emergency.

"A special thank you to the Australian Chin Lien Chinese Association, the Australian Chinese Buddhist Society, Cabra-Vale Diggers Club, Mount Pritchard and District Community Club, Smithfield RSL Club, St Johns Park Bowling Club and Fowler Homes for their generous donations to the appeal."

Mayor Carbone also presented certificates to the members of the Leo Club of Cabramatta High School and Leo Club of Canley Vale High School for their assistance in collecting donations at Illuminate.