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News
Wednesday January 30, 2013
McKenzies’ future looking much brighter A fresh, new start is what the McKenzie family need, and is now appearing more promising due to all the generous donations from the community. The family now have another chance for a good life in this great community thanks to generous donations and support from Monaro residents, as well as from people as far away as Sydney, Wollongong, Pambula and Nowra. Countless donations have been made over the last few weeks and the McKenzie family and Sensei Jim McDonald would like to extend their thanks to the community for their support. “I would say that what has been achieved in less than two weeks is remarkable,” says Sensei Jim McDonald. Monaro residents have really dug deep and their generosity has shone. At this current time (at the last count) the family now has approximately $3000 in cash donations. The whole family now has beds including bedding thanks to Anne Owers and Ruby and Damien from The St Vincent De Paul Organisation. A big thanks to Mission Australia, St Vincent De Paul, Debbie Chippendale from On Track Hobbies, Brett and Kim Simpson from Cooma Tool and Plant Hire, Assembly of
God Mission and others for various donations including a fridge, washing machine, dryer, vacuum cleaner, microwave, kitchen cutlery, crockery and even a George Foreman Grill. A big thanks to Philis Rawlinson, Anne Owers, Noel and Trish Holland, Enid Russel and many more who have brightened the McKenzie kids world with toys, books, bikes, scooters and even a new trampoline from Crystal Burchall to replace the one lost in the fire. “People’s generosity regarding toys has been incredible to say the least, we can’t bring the toys back but they have more than compensated for what has been lost,” says Sensei McDonald. The whole family now have enough clothes to see them through summer and winter with thanks to many generous donations from community members and from St Vincent De Paul. As the kids have been continuing with their homeschooling throughout the ordeal they have been given pencils, notebooks and reading materials. Large cash donations and gift vouchers have been donated by The Snowy Monaro Assembly of God Mission, Vera Davies from Bellissima, the Drover’s Rest and Kennels for a $150.00
Target voucher and John, the store manager of Woolworths with $350.00 of groceries and $100.00 gift voucher. A huge thanks is due to Cathy Wassink from C&C Storage who made this all possible by donating a storage space for larger items such as dining tables, chairs, 2 lounge suits and a TV and video player. Another big thank-you to Chris Hannah who worked overtime to set up the account for the family at Westpac Bank, all in 16 hours. The family also sends their thanks to anyone who provided meals including Annabelle from Feed Café and Catering, The Chelsea Coffee Lounge, Anne Fabry from Moontree Health Food Store and Linden from Schmitt who donated 2 Christmas hampers, which were much appreciated by the children. Adeline Perrett has also donated camping gear. A big thankyou from Sensei McDonald and the McKenzie family also to Cathy Gray from Human Services, Justine Pielli from the Commonwealth Bank, Jim Walker-Broose, Debbie Chippendale, Gerry from HomeSpecs, Murray and Ann who offered their car, Meagan Fox, Elaine Schofield, Liz Dee and Ema Stirling from Canberra Water Castle. Sensei Jim
McDonald apologises for anyone who he has missed thanking in this list. The biggest thank you however, is due to Sensei Jim McDonald who has dedicated his time to ensuring the family’s recovery. However small, all donations to the McKenzie family have made a huge difference to their recovery after their traumatic ordeal through the fires. Donations are still flooding in, however the McKenzie family are now moving towards the clearing and building phase before winter sets in. To help with donations you can now contact Geoff McKenzie instead of Sensei McDonald. Geoff’s telephone number is 0418205529. To donate money straight to the family’s bank account details are as follows - the account is in the name of Geoff & Nicole McKenzie -BSB 032720 account number 201675 please direct all money to this account.
BABYPOST Emily May Payne
Born: 11th Jan (first Child) Parents: Katrina & Matt Payne from Brisbane formally Cooma Weight & Length: 3.718 & 55cm Grandparents: Doug Payne Cooma, Jan Payne- Tullamore, Norma & Wayne Dietrich Cooma
Alexis Gloria Maidee Graham Born: 18th January Parents: John & Chrissy Graham Weight & Length: 48cm & 3155g Grandparents: Peter & Anne Graham and Cheryl & Vince Humphreys
Ruby Samantha Wassink
Ellie Helen Reid
Born: 12th January Parents: Craig Reid $ Helen Watson Weight & Length: 6pds 11oz & Grandparents: Phil & Robyn Reid and Noel & Marie Watson
Matilda Jayne Abbott Born: 16th January Parents: Fiona & Jason Abbott Weight & Length: 2.93kg Grandparents: Joy, Lawson, Greta & Denis
Christopher Clarke
Born: 21st January Parents: Karina Moxon & Jake Wassink Weight & Length: 6lb 12oz & 49cm Grandparents: Cathy & Con Wassink and Marlene & Bill Moxon
Born: 18th January Parents: Dee & Raban Clarke Weight & Length: 3.850kg
Debbie does Cuddles COOMA TROPHY & GIFT CENTRE
Gifts for every occasion
Christenings - Naming Days - First Christmas - First Birthdays
You can also have your gifts personally engraved in house for that special touch 94 Vale Street, Cooma, Opposite the Library
Ph: 6452 2444 E. info@coomatrophy.com.au www.coomatrophy.com.au