Aussies Rally to Aid Bushfire Victims.

Summary: DUBAI - Australians in the UAE are responding swiftly and decisively to the devastating bushfire crisis in Victoria, Australia. Whether through formal groupings like the Australian Business Council, Dubai, or through community barbeques in Dubai, they are pooling experience, resources and time to help relieve the loss back home.

This has been the deadliest bushfire in Australian history, with the official death toll at 200, at least 1,800 homes destroyed and more than 450,000 hectares burnt in the fires which started on 7 February.

The scale of the loss has touched the Australian community in the United Arab Emirates in all ways u personally and through community links u and the community has responded with a string of initiatives aimed at channelling aid to those affected.

AaFrom providing information on the impact of the bushfires to coordinating fund-raisers so that much-needed money can be sent back for rehabilitation, the community is acting with solidarity and concern.

The Australian Business Council-Dubai ( www.abc-dxb.com ) and the Australia New Zealand Association (ANZA) ( www.anzauae.org ) are two organisations rallying together individuals and business in the cause.

oThe Australian Business Council-Dubai has made a donation on behalf of its members to the Red Cross Australia, the Salvation Army and the Collingwood Football Club bushfire appeal,o said Adam Malouf, chairman of the Council.

He added that in times of crisis Australians really pull together, with a significant amount of funds raised at their recent business breakfast.

Similarly the Australia New Zealand Association, which is a Dubai-based community organisation that provides support and social networking to Australians and New Zealanders, has seen attendance and participation in fund-raising events become a significant priority despite the economic slowdown and financial pressures.

Deputy chairperson of ANZA, Janet Bryan, said: oWe are updating our website with news and contact information as it becomes available to aid Australian expatriates in the Middle East . On the social front, we arranged a Friday barbeque on February 20 as a fundraiser. The restaurant (Vista Rooftop Bar & Restaurant in Knowledge Village ) worked with us on price so that at the normal price of Dh249 we could still facilitate a donation of Dh74 per person to the Red Cross.o

Likewise the Dubai PA Club has arranged a similar activity at Vista on February 27, coordinated by Sarah Hadfield from Asteco for its group of personal assistants, as well as friends and family in Dubai , with proceeds going to the Wildlife Victoria fund (www.wildlifevictoria.org.au).

Members of the public can participate in the fundraising activities in the UAE or donate directly to the Bush Fire Appeal via the Red Cross ( www.redcross.org.au ) and/or Wildlife Victoria .

There are also individuals who have had their lives changed entirely by the crisis. SKAL Dubai Chapter committee member and Australian Sharon Garrett said: oOne of the most influential travel-trade magazine editors in Dubai has resigned as a result of the fire damage to his family property. He is exchanging his desk job for some tough physical labour rebuilding 400 acres of fencing. The impacts of the bush fires run deep and people will be affected in many different ways.o

Their effort to provide relief yielded a helpful kitty for the Bush fire appeals from Aussies Abroad in Abu Dhabi earlier this week. Malouf of the Australian Business Council-Dubai said the effort in the UAE will continue into March, with the CouncilAEs next business luncheon on March 16 also being readied as a fundraiser.

At the luncheon Rob Whelan, President of the University of Wollongong in Dubai , will be presenting a talk about aeResponse to National Fire Emergencies: Lessons LearnedAE.

Said Malouf: oEvery little bit counts and we are more than happy to play a key role in supporting our fellow Australians in their time of need in whatever way we can.o

AaWord is being spread round the clock to encourage people to contribute to the various bushfire appeals, thanks to broadcast help from Emirates News on Dubai One and the radio programme Dubai Eye.

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