Ready to champion bushfire recovery
TODAY, I want to make a simple but serious promise to the communities affected by the bushfires.
News Corp will stand by you and support you.
We will help you get back on your feet. We will champion the efforts of your towns to rebuild, your businesses to recover. We will not forget you as the weeks and months pass.
This is our pledge to you. Today, News is publishing a special edition in the Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Advertiser and The CourierMail that will raise at least $1.5 million for the bushfire recovery efforts. Tomorrow, The Weekly Times — the voice of the country — will also publish a tribute edition.
Together with other contributions announced previously, News Corp and its leaders are providing more than $10.5 million towards this vital relief and rebuilding work.
Contributions from Foxtel, majority owned by News, are expected to take this to more than $11 million.
This money will be directed to where it is needed most — the long-term revival of impacted communities, benefiting local firefighters and provision of emergency services.
Narooma on New Year’s Eve, when the Tilba Tilba (Cobargo) Fire got out of control. It was a surreal experience, the eerie feeling that day. The ominous red glow on the horizon as the enormous fire front was pushed our way on a fierce wind, ash constantly raining from the sky, as day turned to night at 4pm. There was no electricity, no phone connection. I raced into Woollies and was confronted with a blackout, people in total panic; crying and stockpiling water and
The plight of the areas and people impacted by fires has touched so many in Australia and globally; we join with many other businesses and individuals supporting their recovery.
Consequently, I am proud today to thank the many businesses and partners who have supported these special editions. The proceeds of their advertising will go towards the relief efforts.
I would also like to sincerely thank our readers who have bought today’s editions — this money is also being directed towards the recovery initiatives.
These contributions and commitments will make a difference, and demonstrate the finest of the spirit of Australia where we unite together to help those in difficult times. toilet paper. We eventually found a place to camp (with thousands of others) on a nature strip near the Narooma oval. A lovely local lady wandered over to our caravan, knocked on the door and said she couldn’t offer us much help as she had no electricity, but she had a loo out the back of her house across the road, which we could use. She even put a lovely candle in there so we could find our way. A simple, kind and wonderful gesture that made a frightening, uncomfortable
The special editions are important because they pay tribute and respect to the Australians impacted by this terrible crisis and honour those who have worked so hard to support them.
Times like these bring out the best in our nation — the firefighters, emergency services workers, military and ordinary people who have tirelessly helped others fill us with admiration.
They make us proud to be Australian.
Our hearts go out to the families, young and old, mums and dads, grandparents and children who have been affected, in some cases losing loved ones and homes.
These are the members of our communities we must not forget nor neglect. They will need our support in what will be a long journey. situation so much more bearable. And to the fireys on the front line, we cannot thank you enough.”
Samantha Armytage, (pictured) Sunrise co-host
“My mate Janelle and her daughters have spent the school holidays getting very crafty knitting pouches, slings and bandages for our injured wildlife. Helping out our beautiful native animals and keeping the kids off the iPad win!”
Joel Creasey, comedian
“A massive shoutout and thank you to all of our firefighters around the country who have worked tirelessly to help protect homes and communities. We can’t thank you enough for all you have done during this tragic time.” Alex de Minaur, tennis player
“It is absolutely heartbreaking to witness the scale of destruction these bushfires have inflicted upon our beautiful country. No words can adequately describe my gratitude to all the firefighters and wildlife carers working tirelessly on the front lines” Jonathan LaPaglia, Australian Survivor host