Dongara businesses including MEPAU recently rallied together to raise money for bushfire victims in the east of Australia.

Thirty one businesses were involved, donating $1,800 worth of goods for a raffle. A sausage sizzle was held outside Dongara IGA on Saturday, 23 November.

Altogether $5,727.10 was raised for the cause.

Proceeds went to Dongara Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, for distribution to victims of recent fires in Queensland and New South Wales.

Carol Alty, MEPAU Operations & HSE Administrator, organised a contribution from MEPAU by taking up a collection from individual employees which was then matched by the company, raising a total of $635.

She says, “The bushfires have been so horrific and it’s easy to feel a bit helpless from all the way over here in the West. I was so glad that all the staff threw something into the hat so we could make a bit of an impact.”

Barry Wyse, Dongara Mitre 10 store owner, was the Fundraiser Coordinator. He says he was surprised and quite overwhelmed by the response from the community.  He placed a notice in the local newsletter, Dongara-Denison Local Rag, thanking contributors for their support (see below).