DECEMBER 8, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Big hug for charity Bundoora charity Big Group Hug will be able to lend a hand to more vulnerable children and their families after receiving a $10,000 Christmas bonus. Ten Coles stores across the northern suburbs recently joined forces with Mondelez – the parent company of Cadbury – to make the donation. Big Group Hug executive director Geraldine Camilleri said the funds would make a genuine difference to families in the northern suburbs experiencing situational hardship or disadvantage. “The $10,000 will go a significant way to assisting Big Group Hug in its mission of supporting local families in need and will help provide material needs such as nappies and formula to vulnerable children.” Tara Murray
BIG GROUP HUG VOLUNTEER STACEY WOOLLEY AND HER CHILDREN
Summer grassfire warning By Tara Murray
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Hume and Whittlesea residents are being urged to be prepared for a potential grassfire-dominated fire season. The latest seasonal bushfire outlook for Victoria indicates the state is likely to experience a less severe bushfire season this summer compared to last summer. However significant grass growth poses a high risk of grassfires. CFA district 14 acting assistant chief fire officer Paul Elso said average to above average winter rainfall across the district, combined with sunny spring days and periodic rain
events, had provided perfect conditions for prolific grass growth. He said with Hume and Whittlesea on the urban fringe and surrounded by grassland, it was important residents clean up their properties – mowing grass, moving timber away from the house and cleaning gutters in preparation for the fire season. There have been a number of fires in both areas in recent years, including one in bushland at Plenty Gorge, Bundoora late last year. “It’s always hard to predict, but we’re looking like there will be more of a focus on grassfires,” Mr Elso said. “We’re looking at there being more fires
in abandoned growth and grasslands rather than forest fires. While CFA and our partner agencies Fire Rescue Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria are doing everything we can to prepare for the bushfire season, we look to the community to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.” Mr Elso said a large number of fires attended by the CFA are caused by human activity, such as slashing and people using machinery. He said burn-offs were another issue. “There’s a lot of fires from burn-offs escaping or reigniting the next day,” he said. “It accounts for a quarter of the fires we attend, so people
need to make sure they are extinguished properly. “Make sure you’re checking the conditions before burning off, and checking if conditions are going to be windy the day after as well.” Mr Elso said once the Fire Danger Period comes into effect, CFA has a zero tolerance approach to any fires caused by negligent behaviour. “Expect any escaped or uncontrolled fire you start to be investigated by CFA and Victoria Police,” he said. The fire danger period for district 14 starts on Monday, December 14.
carlsjr.com.au 1 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 8 December, 2020