NEWS DESK
Generosity eases fire loss Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A BOTTLE of 1976 Grange Hermitage valued at $1200, a little girl’s Christening candle in a blackened chest of draws, and a walking stick made by his grandfather in Changi prison, Singapore, were among a handful of items saved when a Mordialloc house was gutted by fire in the evening late last month (‘Fire puts end to house, exhibition’, The News 4/5/16). But, despite his emotional attachment to these keepsakes, and his joy at retrieving them, the real thrill for victim Sam Bryant, 36, is the kindness of friends and strangers. No sooner had the smoke cleared from the Powlett St house than Mordialloc’s OCD Skate Shop came forward to offer clothes and shoes valued at $500 to the family and Beach Rd’s Mordialloc Bike Shop donated a new bike for daughter Olive, 4. Friends Nikki Affleck organised a GoFundMe campaign which raised $4000, Luanne Willingham cared for Olive, and Holly Kucherenko began coordinating donations. Also, Korowa Girls’ School and St Anne’s School in Seaford, donated clothing. His brother Nick bought him a replacement TV and camera, parents at Olive’s former kinder, Evesham, in Cheltenham, supplied replacement photographs and her new kinder, Elonera, in Parkdale, offered support. Yesterday Mr Bryant, who has a knee injury, was able to watch DVD images of Olive on his new TV. “So many people rang me and offered their support and made donations,” Mr
Mess no stress: Angela Costigan is happy for children such as Toby and Grace to visit Aspendale Gardens Community Service despite occasional spills. Picture: Gary Sissons
Remains of the day fire struck: Sam Bryant is grateful that the community rallied around when his Mordialloc home was gutted by fire. Picture: Gary Sissons
Bryant, an artist, said. “I am amazed by their generosity. We received so much help; it’s been quite humbling.” Mr Bryant was not at home when the fire started at 10pm on Wednesday 27 April, but friend Libby Sunshine, 20, heard the alarm and saw smoke in the hallway. She “grabbed her cat and handbag and fled the house”, police said later. Twenty-five firefighters tackled the blaze, which was brought under control at 10.48pm. Mr Bryant, who rushed home soon afterwards, ran inside to save his laptop and a wooden DVD case containing family photos, as well as animation
work and assorted artworks for an upcoming exhibition. “The wooden box had been burnt but a fireman began bringing out all these single tapes, as well as a fire-blackened laptop and camera whose memory cards may be OK,” he said. “And the walking stick of Japanese oak made by my grandfather while a prisoner-of-war in Singapore, Olive’s Christening candle – as well as the Grange Hermitage – all hold special memories,” he said. But the cherry on top was the safe return of his four beloved cats who all fled the fire. “I’m so grateful they are alright,” he said.
Wedding Expo
Putting modern families first The Aspendale Gardens Community Service (AGCS) will be running several events and activities to celebrate National Families Week next week. Building on the theme ‘Stronger Families, Stronger Communities’, the AGCS will present two talks about preventing child injury and practical parenting tips and facilitate a community collection for charity Mummies Supporting Families in Need. “All families are different but ultimately we all at one time or another face the same challenges and experience the same joys during our parenting journey,” AGCS commu-
nity development coordinator Angela Costigan said. “National Families Week offers a great opportunity for families to connect with each other and with others in the community. “At the Aspendale Gardens Community Service, we wanted to offer programs during Families Week that allow families to share those joys and challenges and to connect with each other.” See agcsinc.org.au or call AGCS on 9587 5955 for further information on the events throughout the week in National Families Week from Monday 16 May to Friday 20 May.
THE MAN IN BLACK T H E JOH N N Y C A SH ST OrY
STArrINg
Sunday 19th June, 2016 11am – 2pm Mornington Racecourse Racecourse Rd, Mornington, Vic, 3931 FREE ENTRY | FREE SHOWBAGS MAGAZINE GIVEAWAYS | FASHION PARADE
Register your attendance at
http://www.peninsulaweddings.com.au/upcoming-events/
Audi Mornington
AdAM HArvEY & CATHErINE BrITT wITH THE TENNESSEE THrEE
frANKSTON ArTS CENTrE
frIdAY 3 JuNE 2016 Box Office 03 9784 1060 – thefac.com.au
facebook.com/thejohnnycashstory
www.room8.com.au
Photo Courtesy Sarah Coyle Photography
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 11 May 2016
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