Donation call enthusiastically answered

Community spirit is alive and well in the Shire of Roebourne with a successful bushfire appeal held for Tasmanian residents affected by the recent bushfires.

Karratha business owner Margaret Bertling organised the collection, with two bins set up in Centro Karratha for residents to leave their donations.

When packing up the donated goods ready to be taken to Tasmania on Monday, Mrs Bertling said she was thrilled with the outcome.

“When they put the call out for PPE (personal protective equipment) we float in that stuff, so that was an opportunity to actually get some good stuff down to where it’s needed,” she said

“I was involved in the last bushfire appeal that the Shire held and we raised tens of thousands of dollars… so I know that Karratha was very generous.”

Mrs Bertling wasn’t alone in her efforts to help with a shop full of donated items, sorted and packed with the help of a small group of willing volunteers.

“It’s been about three days that the cage has been there and we have a shop full of donations,” she said.

“Everything from work gear to baby goods. People have been offering furniture.

“It was a short, quick hit, but an unbelievable response by the community. The generosity is just amazing.”

Mrs Bertling thanked Centro Karratha for allowing the cages to be in their shopping centre and the support of the community.

She said a huge thank-you also needed to go to Allied Pickfords for organising the transportation of all goods to Tasmania, plus donating packing boxes, free of charge.